Empowering People, Launching lives
Find examples of previous research requests that have been shared on our website. Where possible we will share the outputs of the research.
| Coronavirus and SEND
The study focused on how children with special educational needs and disabilities are feeling during the Coronavirus outbreak and how parents/guardians would like to be supported. Read their findings here. |
| The Experiences of Fathers in Families where two or more Children have a diagnosis of Autism- An interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
February 2020 This study aimed to explore the experience of being a father to children with autism. Participants werebe invited to take part in an interview of up to an hour. For more detail about the research read the participant information sheet. |
| Gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety levels in autism
March 2020 The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety levels in children with autism. For more detail about the research read the participant information sheet. |
| Post-16 pathways and outcomes for autistic young people
March 2020 The Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at UCL Institute of Education in association with Ambitious About Autism carried out a research project about the impact of the changes in post-16 education for autistic young people and their families in England since the introduction of an important law called the Children and Families Act 2014. |
| Autism Research Survey
March 2020 The survey was developed to gather feedback on people’s experiences with autism and in particular on how they view their child’s strengths and unique characteristics. In addition, they were asked about their personal health and well-being and confidence in managing specific behaviours of their child. |
| Exploring the experience of being a mother with autism
April 2020 The study explored the experience of mothers with autism around parenting on a daily basis and to include them as co-researchers in moving the field forward. |
| Autism and Bullying in Childhood Online Study
May 2020 This online study sought to understand the experiences of bullying that individuals with autism had during childhood. |
| A study on parent experiences of the assessment process in their child’s diagnosis of autism
June 2020 The study looked to explore the experiences and feelings of parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism, specifically their experiences of the assessment process. |
| Participation of Children with Autism – Emphasis including Associations and Impacts of Environment, Sibling Comparisons, and links to Sensory Behaviour
June 2020 The purpose of this study was to look at the possible facilitators and barriers in natural, play-space environments for children with ASD. It also looked at the sensory aspects of the environment that support and inhibit the child’s participation in play. Download the participant information sheet for more information. |
| Exploring the effects of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown on the social development and communication skills of children diagnosed with autism
September 2020 The main purpose of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown in the UK, on the social development and communication skills of children with autism and examine if various aspects of lockdown are associated with a change in social-communicative behaviour. Click here to read the results of the study. |
| How has lockdown impacted on the wellbeing and behaviour of children with autism?
September 2020 This research project aimed to explore the impact that the recent Coronavirus lockdown has had on the wellbeing and behaviour of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By utilising Brownhills Ice Cream Cone Model (2017) three lines of enquiry informed the interview structure and research questions:
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| The experience of young people who identify as transgender and have autism
November 2020 The research looked into the views of young people who identify as transgender or non-binary and have a diagnosis of autism. The research was interested in finding out about their experiences, including at school. To find out more about the research download the participant information sheet which is also available in accessible format. |
| Participating in an improv comedy intervention for autistic adults: exploring the benefits and impact on anxiety
January 2021 This project explored the benefits and impact for people with autism using improv comedy training on anxiety and their lives. It focussed particularly on the impact participating in the classes might have on levels of anxiety, tolerance of uncertainty, and any other benefits people experience, as well as people’s views about the classes more generally. |
| A study to investigate whether the level of social skills exhibited by children with autism differs between specialist schools and mainstream schools
February 2021 This research involved a questionnaire for parents/carers of children with ASD (aged 3-11), and asked questions related to the social skills their child exhibits. |
| Educational practitioners’ and caregivers’-reported behavioural changes in children with ASD during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK
February 2021 The research aimed to explore the perceived behavioural changes occurred in children with ASD during the Covid-19 lockdowns in the UK. |
| The effect of friendship quality on mental health in children diagnosed with autism
February 2021 The aim of this study was to explore the influence of friendship quality on mental health in children diagnosed with autism. |
| PAREint: Testing a Novel Parenting Intervention for Autistic Children
March 2021 This study compared two ‘structured communication techniques’ that have been suggested to improve communication skills in children with autism. The main purpose was to assess how well parents and children are able to use these techniques at home. For more information on the study download the information sheet. |
| Exploring early educators’ knowledge of play-based strategies for Autism spectrum conditions
April 2021 This study explored the current understanding that early educators have about play-based teaching strategies for autism spectrum. The study sought to answer the following questions:
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| Navigating educators’ wellbeing during uncertain times
April 2021 This project aimed to provide the Department of Education and the whole community of education with an evidence-based perspective on what is working well in schools to support staff wellbeing and identify the factors which may be contributing to challenges for wellbeing during these challenging times. |
| Exploring the experience of BAME* parents who have children with autism and co-morbid disorders: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
April 2021 There is little research about how autism is experienced in BAME communities in the UK. Families in BAME communities face additional challenges, compared to their white British counterparts, and your insight into this is extremely valuable. This research intended to help develop more culturally sensitive support in the future. For more information, download the information sheet. *The researcher recognises that many people do not identify with the term ‘BAME’ as it groups many diverse ethnicities and cultures together. BAME is used widely in academic research and for administrative purposes so for the purpose of this research it is the term that has been chosen. The researcher will acknowledge specific ethnicities in the dissertation to highlight the diverse range of ethnicities and heritages taking part in the study. A full explanation of terms will be included in the final research piece. |
| Recent lockdown restrictions and the social development of children with autism
May 2021 The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of not regularly attending school, not seeing friends and the disruption to routine on the social development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). |
| Sibling relationships and influences on autistic children’s/adolescents’ feelings
May 2021 Children’s relationships with their siblings play a significant role in their social, emotional and psychological development. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the relationship between siblings, very little is known about the relationship between siblings when a sibling has autism spectrum conditions. This study aimed;
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| Parental experiences when caring for a child on the autism spectrum during England’s COVID-19 lockdown. A qualitative analysis
June 2021 The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of parents of autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic, including experiences of stress and coping with restrictions and lockdown. |
| Identity development for autistic people and supporting young people who face identity challenges
July 2021 The research aimed to explore the views of young autistic people on their personal and social identities and how they identify with and align themselves to autistic and non-autistic culture, when they are interacting online and offline. It also looked to explore the extent to which any differences relate to psychological wellbeing/difficulty. |
| Parental and Professional Knowledge and Perceptions of ABA
August 2021 The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between professional knowledge of ABA concepts and principles and their perception of ABA and parental/caregiver knowledge of ABA concepts and principles and their perception of ABA. |
| Specific phobias in children with learning disabilities
August 2021 Specific phobia is an extreme fear of a specific object, animal or situation which is so overwhelming that it interferes with everyday life. The study aimed to find out what treatments are routinely offered to children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities and a specific phobia. The survey was part of a larger study about the treatment for specific phobias for children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities. |
| The preschool brain imaging and behaviour project (PIP)
Summer 2021 This research, conducted by King’s College London, is the first Europe-wide study on brain development in pre-schoolers. Their goal was to better understand how differences in brain development are related to a child’s social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive development. |
| Experiences of conducting practice-based research amongst behavioural practitioners
September 2021 Researchers at the Tizard Centre (University of Kent) and BeyondAutism designed a survey to find out how behavioural practitioners view research, whether and how they use research in their practice, and their experiences of conducting practice-based research in the field. |
| Investigating the Feasibility and Impact of Just Dance on Social-Communication Skills in Young Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
September 2021 Researchers at the University of Essex conducted a study that aimed to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of playing the well-known exergame ‘Just Dance’, on the social development and communication skills of autistic children. The intervention involved playing the Just Dance game twice a week for 6 weeks, with assessments occurring before and after the intervention. |
