Research work
At the National Autistic Society, we want to support research which respectfully and ethically centres autistic people and their experiences, goals, and needs, in alignment with our Moonshot vision and strategy.
We partner with researchers to:
- Ensure their work addresses the priorities identified by autistic people;
- Encourage meaningful co-production;
- Provide guidance around supporting participants appropriately.
We can utilise our unique positioning and networks to help advertise for participants, with a reach of over 30,000 autistic people. We are also well-placed to support dissemination of findings, with long established relationships with local and national government, and other key decision-makers.
We work with autistic people, families, university academics and other autism charities and organisations to support and promote research that is good quality, and reflects people’s real experiences.
National Autistic Society projects
Who can we work with?
We want to support quality research which addresses issues that are important to autistic people and their families, and aims to make a positive impact to their lives.
We have limited capacity and therefore can’t support every enquiry we receive. If your research meets the following criteria we may be able to help:
- Does the topic align with key priorities for autistic people set out in our Moonshot vision?
- Is your research PhD level or above?
- Does your research involve meaningful autistic involvement?
- Will autistic participants be compensated and supported appropriately?
Read on if your project ticks the above boxes. If your study doesn’t meet any of the above – watch this space as we add useful tools and resources to this webpage, for you to consider when shaping your research.
How can we help?
We support quality research in various ways, and to different levels. The two main paths are as follows:
Partnership
We can provide full partnership - working with you from bid development stage through to dissemination. Typically, our input focusses on Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) including:
- Co-writing and proofing bid application
- Recruiting and facilitating a steering group/advisory panel of autistic people to help guide the project throughout its duration
- Assisting with recruitment of autistic people to research/evaluation roles within the project
- Attending project group meetings
- Consulting on / co-producing documentation/materials
- Advertising for study participants through our online community forum
- Disseminating and promoting the findings through our public platforms and highly specialist policy and media teams.
This is a bespoke service, and costings to be factored into your funding bid would depend on the enquiry.
If you would like to discuss partnership, please complete this form and email it to research@nas.org.uk
Advertising for participants
If your study is established and you are recruiting for participants, we may be able to advertise on your behalf through our online community forum. Please note we cannot accept all requests to advertise. Your study must meet the requirements outlined above, and you must have ethical approval for us to consider providing support.
If you would like to discuss advertising for participants, please complete this form and email it to research@nas.org.uk
Have a different enquiry?
If you have an enquiry that isn’t covered above, you can still get in touch. We also partner with other charities and non-research organisations. Please email research@nas.org.uk giving as much information as you can.
What happens next?
Once we receive your enquiry and completed form with supporting evidence, we will begin our internal review process. We will then contact you to discuss next steps.
Are you an autistic individual interested in becoming involved in research?
By contributing to quality research, you can help to shape the future for autistic people and their families.
We regularly recruit advisory panels/steering groups for research projects. These are usually autistic people with experience of the specific research topic (for example co-occurring mental health conditions, or sleep difficulties). These are paid opportunities and panellists are given guidance and support through the process. If you are interested in being considered for these opportunities please email research@nas.org.uk.
If you are interested in being a research participant (for example filling out an online survey or attending a face-to-face interview), keep an eye on our community forum where we occasionally post opportunities.
Who are we working with?
Affinity Spaces: Interest-driven social media practices during the transition to adulthood
Led by Queen Mary University of London, this study explores autistic young people’s experiences of social media. It focusses on which social media resources are available to them, and how these resources are used to interact with others, and to engage in interests. The project team are interested in making existing interest-driven spaces more inclusive of autistic needs and communicative preference.
BRIDGING (Breakthrough interview extended reality training towards reducing the autism employment gap)
Led by University of Plymouth, this project pilots the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to help autistic people experience job interviews and new job scenarios in a safe and adaptable environment. Similarly, VR scenarios for employers will be created to aid understanding of adjustments and support for autistic employees. The aim is to help autistic people in the UK to feel prepared and supported in obtaining and sustaining a job.
CECiLiA (Care, education and treatment reviews [CETRs] for people with learning disabilities and autistic people)
Led by University of Birmingham, this project explores the experiences and outcomes of CETRs for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The work investigates how CETRs are being carried out in different settings, and how CETRs influence care pathways (e.g., preventing admissions). The findings will be used to develop good practice guidelines for conducting CETRs.
ENHANCED (Reasonable adjustments in health datasets for people who are autistic or have learning disabilities)
Led by King’s College London, the aim of the ENHANCED project is to improve how learning disability and autism are recorded in medical files, with a view to reducing health inequalities. The research team will also investigate the use of reasonable adjustments – who receives these, what are they, and what impact they have on people's care. The work will help the NHS to roll out the Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag scheme so that appropriate, reasonable adjustments can be made for all people who need them. The work will use the anonymised electronic medical files of thousands of people from across the UK.
Health Checks for Autistic Adults
Led by Newcastle University, this study investigated the use of a co-designed health check to improve health outcomes. The health check was co-designed with autistic people, carers and supporters of autistic people, and Primary Care professionals.
Project webpage, study findings and outputs
IHOAP (Tailored Healthcare Adjustments for older Autistic People)
Led by Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, this study focusses on the experiences of older autistic people in relation to healthcare. It tests the feasibility of an intervention to help older autistic people get better access to healthcare, exploring tailored adjustments to improve the effectiveness of care.
Inclusive Talk (Understanding how to increase inclusiveness of NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression)
Led by University College London, this project investigates experiences of autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities in NHS Talking Therapies for (formerly IAPT). Using a large, England-wide dataset (including over 30,000 autistic adults and over 30,000 adults with learning disabilities). this work will help to increase access, improve experiences in, and outcomes of NHS Talking Therapies for these groups.
XRAD (Extended Reality for Autistic Drivers)
Led by University of Exeter, this study aims to help autistic people learn and improve driving skills, to reduce common barriers and aid independence. Researchers are working with a team of autistic people to co-design new support tools using extended reality technologies, also collaborating with technology companies and driving experts.