Autism Social Identity Groups (a-Island Groups)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility trial of autism social identity groups for psychological well-being in autistic adolescents
IRAS ID
349807
Contact name
Kate Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Aim
I will do a feasibility study of psychological well-being groups for autistic teenagers, called an autism social identity group (a-Island).Method
I will check if it is possible to do a larger study in future to see if a-Island is effective in improving well-being. To do this, I will invite young people to join a feasibility study, through the NHS and other organisations such as autism charities.Seventy autistic 11-16-year-olds will take part in the research. After giving fully-informed consent, or informed assent with parental consent, they will be randomly placed into two groups. Half of them will be signposted to the standard care offered to autistic teenagers in their area. The other half will attend a-Island groups.
Young people will be asked to fill out questionnaires before receiving any support, and after 10-, 16-, and 24- weeks. The questionnaires will measure psychological well-being, mental health, and use of health and care services. A real-time app measure of autism identity and well-being will be completed over five days at the beginning of the study, and again after 16-weeks. Young people will be paid with a shopping voucher for completing questionnaires.
I will hold focus groups with autistic young people, parents, and a-Island facilitators to understand what it was like taking part in the research. This will then be used to improve a-I before doing the next, bigger study.
Patient and Public Involvement
A group of autism community members will meet regularly to oversee the feasibility study. This group will be led by an autistic young person and a researcher.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
25/WS/0137
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion