The Practitioners' Perspectives research is the second phase of the Exploring Perspectives on Autism programme.
It builds on the earlier Parents' Perspectives research, bringing together the experiences of both families and professionals to develop a shared understanding of the challenges involved in recognising and supporting autistic children and young people. Together, the findings provide an evidence base to inform future policy, practice and service improvement across health, education and social care.
The research set out to understand how well-equipped practitioners from health, social care and education fail to recognise autism in children and young people, and provide the support families need.
This research phase included an online survey and 3 focus groups.
The findings demonstrate that parental blame is a significant and preventable issue, with serious consequences for children and their families. It demonstrates parental blame can arise from any of four domains; social cultural and political environments, system pressures and constraints, professional knowledge and practice and parent/practitioner interactions.
The study found that recognition, value and integration of lived experience, and the ability to hold uncertainty and manage risk are often missing in the current system and approaches.
The final project report identifies many opportunities for change across these domains, and argues that every practitioner has a role to play in shifting families' experiences from blame to help.
See our page on parents perspectives for phase 1 research findings with parents
Coming soon:
- Practitioner survey report
- Practitioner focus group report
At our conference with parents and practitioners 30 June 2026 delegates worked together to develop a practical resource to help professionals in their practice and support positive conversations with autistic children, young people and their families. Tips for Practitioners is coming soon!