Autism Transition to Adulthood Groups (ATAG)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Peer-group intervention to promote successful transition to adulthood for autistic people: A feasibility RCT of Autism Transition to Adulthood Groups (ATAG)
IRAS ID
321840
Contact name
Kate Cooper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN10513626
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Our project will improve understanding of how social care professionals can enhance the life chances of autistic people without intellectual disability. We will conduct a feasibility study to learn if it is realistic and possible to conduct a research project testing a new intervention. This group intervention will support autistic people in a successful transition to adulthood.Over the next 10 years, in the UK ~175,000 autistic people will engage in transition to adulthood. This is a challenging time, as they face the demands of adult life while support decreases.
This research aims to understand how possible it is to find 70 people who agree to take part, and if they are willing to continue taking part in the study. It will tell us if it is possible to do a bigger study to see if the intervention is effective.
We will recruit 70 autistic people aged 16-25 years old to take part in the study. They will be randomly allocated to receive usual care, or the new group intervention. Thirty-five people will receive the new intervention.
The intervention is being developed by young autistic adults and autism professionals. It involves six online group sessions, facilitated by an autistic young adult and two social care professionals. It will cover different topics including understanding the autism label, identifying your needs and understanding your rights, and where to get help. Carers, nominated by each participant, will also be offered online resources to learn about these topics.
Participants will complete questionnaires measuring well-being, interpersonal support, autism social identity, loneliness, and quality of life before the intervention starts, and after 3- and 12- months. We will also invite participants to be interviewed to find out their views on the intervention and taking part in the study.
Autistic people are involved in the research project. The intervention and research has been designed in collaboration with a group of autistic people.
Summary of Results
Lay summary of study results: Background
This research aimed to improve the life chances of autistic young people. Becoming an adult brings new challenges, when there is less support from places like school, college, and children's services. Many autistic people struggle at this point and need support.
Aims
Researchers and autistic people worked together to make six online peer group sessions. The sessions aim to help autistic young people when they become adults. We did a small trial of the groups to see if a large, conclusive trial is possible.
We wanted to know:
- Can we recruit enough young people?
- Do they fill out questionnaires when asked?
- Do young people feel okay with taking part in the research?
- Do young people like the support they get?Methods
Autistic young people aged 16-25 years had a 50:50 chance of getting either the new groups or the usual support offered in their area, called 'usual care'. Young people filled out questionnaires about how they were feeling at four time points. Some young people were interviewed about their experiences.
Key findings
We met our recruitment target: seventy young people took part. The most important questionnaire (wellbeing after 16 weeks) was completed by 26 (74%) of young people who went to the new groups and 32 (91%) young people who got usual care. Young people said they felt ok with taking part in the research and with the new groups.
Disseminations, outputs and impact
We have sent our findings to scientific journals. We have told the autism community and researchers about the results.
Patient and public involvement
Two autistic young people were part of the research leadership team and worked as co-researchers. The group sessions were co-run by autistic people.
Conclusions
We think that a full trial is possible. We have asked for funding to run a full trial
Has the registry been updated to include summary results?: Yes
If yes - please enter the URL to summary results: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%252Fscience%252Farticle%252Fpii%252FS2589537026001069%253Fvia%25253Dihub%2FNBTI%2FNcTHAQ%2FAQ%2Fae8bac29-4336-4409-97c3-9c97f6c986b4%2F2%2FguZiHgo93Y&data=05%7C02%7CWales.REC5%40wales.nhs.uk%7C6ef8c5dd71dd439d384d08df081740a5%7Cbb5628b8e3284082a856433c9edc8fae%7C0%7C0%7C639238568095744438%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=2UqPpm5Sm1aWeJfpy3nDYjl8uO8vur1SvPt12w0ey34%3D&reserved=0REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
23/WA/0113
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion