What’s involved?
We are looking for parents and carers of recently diagnosed autistic children to help us create a new neurodiversity-affirming parent support programme. The programme aims to develop greater understanding and acceptance of autism while offering a supported space to explore what your child’s diagnosis means to you and your wider family. The 6-week programme consists of one 2 hour session per week which will take place either in person on the University of Reading Whiteknights campus or online via Microsoft Teams. Participants will be asked to evaluate the programme by providing feedback before, during and after the delivery of the programme materials.
Participants will be requested to:
- Complete a questionnaire before and after taking part in the programme
- Attend all sessions for the entire 6 week period
- Have a between-session telephone/video call or email exchange with a research assistant each week to evaluate the materials (maximum 30 minutes each week)
- Take part in an interview at the end of the programme (approximately 1 hour)
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for parents and carers of children who meet the following criteria to be part of our study:
- Of school age (i.e. between the ages and 5 and 16)
- Clinical diagnosis of autism received within the last 12 months
What next?
Please email the lead researcher, Jo Billington, to register your interest in this study. We will then arrange for you to speak with one of the research team who will explain the study in more detail, and gather some information about you and your child. We will then invite you complete a pre-course questionnaire and join either an in person or online course depending on your preferences and availability. You can then decide if you would like take part, but you can change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time.
This application has been reviewed by the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences Research Ethics Committee and has been given a favourable ethical opinion for conduct.
(2024-010-JB. End date: 30.04.2025)