Family experience belongs in the research room

Connie Putterman combined autism advocacy with research training, building a career that brings patients and families into mental health research. Published in Alumni Digest as verified reporting from the University of Toronto.

Connie Putterman combined autism advocacy with research training, building a career that brings patients and families into mental health research.

Alumni Digest editorial deskSeptember 18, 20263 min read

In the September issue

Campus

University of TorontoSt. George, Mississauga & Scarborough

Focus

Research & public discoveryIdeas

Outcome

Verified reportingSeptember 2026 issue

The context

Where the work begins

Connie Putterman arrived in U of T's Translational Research Program with business experience and years of autism advocacy, but little confidence in her scientific credentials. She had left corporate work after her son's diagnosis and spent years volunteering with families and research organizations. Returning to school in 2017 gave her a foundation in research methods.

The takeaway

What follows

During her studies, Putterman helped develop training at McMaster's CanChild centre so families and scientists could work together. The course has trained more than 600 participants. After graduating in 2019, she became a family engagement lead at CAMH, working with researchers and family advisors to bring their needs into mental health studies.

Family experience belongs in the research room

Where the work begins

What follows

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