This project, started in 2022, examines the experiences of people with lived experience of autism, including children and young people, parents, carers and practitioners working in social care, health and education.
The aim has been to develop an evidence-based approach to understanding different perspectives to stimulate debate and encourage innovative, co-produced approaches to service development.
Find out more about our research with parents of autistic children and young people.
Find out more about our research with health social care and education practitioners.
The final report brings together the findings from both phases, exploring experiences from parent and practitioner perspectives, and highlights the key themes, learning and recommendations for policy, practice and service improvement.
On 30 June 2026, a conference was held in Birmingham with parents and practitioners. Findings of both parts of the research were presented and perspectives from parents and practitioners shared.
Conference delegates worked together to develop a practical resource for professionals to support positive conversations with autistic children, young people and their families.
This resource will be available soon.
The following presentations from the conference are now available:
Reflections on the Project - video commentary by Pete Jackson, WM-ADASS Improvement Director and member of the project team
Who's to blame for parental blame? by Debbie Hollingsworth and Laura Ferguson, Co-Project Leads for Exploring Perspectives on Autism
A personal experience of parental blame by Bernadette Louise, member, project team
Autistic spaces in social work by Jenni Guthrie, autistic+ social worker, writer, trainer and researcher
Listening to Make a Difference - video presentation by Libby Hill, consultant speech & language therapist and member, project team