Understanding the autism assessment experience for young people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding young peoples' experience of autism assessment and its impact on their mental health.
IRAS ID
285174
Contact name
Andrew Surtees
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of the study is to understand more about the experience and impact of the autism assessment process on young people with mental health difficulties. It is a mixed-methods study, with a qualitative and a quantitative component.
Qualitative Component
The qualitative part of the study consists of two semi-structured interviews (the first at the point of referral and the second when a diagnosis is made/ or not). This part of the study will explore how young people with mental health conditions experience the ASD assessment process. Data will be analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Quantitative Component
The quantitative part of the study will examine mental health symptoms in autistic young people. Initially, we will compare mental health symptoms in young people referred for autism assessment, to a control group. Further, we will monitor the impact on mental health of the diagnostic process. We will gather data at four time points: 1. waiting list, 2. assessment, 3. feedback/diagnosis, 4. 3 months post-diagnosis. Participants exhibiting significant changes to their symptom profiles will be asked to take part in a brief follow-up telephone/video interview to explore factors that may have contributed to any change.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0176
Date of REC Opinion
28 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion