This project explores autistic children’s current and preferred practices in speech and language therapy by seeking the views of the children themselves, as well as their speech and language therapists (S<s).
This project is being undertaken in collaboration with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield. It is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
On this page:
What we are interested in
Our understanding of autism is evolving, meaning healthcare providers such as S<s need to respond by adapting clinical services.
There have been recent changes in how we understand autism. This has meant better recognition of autism in certain groups such as children without language disorder or learning disabilities, and also girls. As a result, there are now many more autistic children needing therapies and these children have an increasingly diverse set of needs.
Additionally, speech and language therapy has been criticised by autistic adults for relying on methods that focus on correcting ‘deficits’ in autistic children, rather than taking a stance that embraces someone’s autistic identity. Deficit-based approaches, they suggest, may undermine the individual’s confidence, access to community and contribute to mental ill-health.
However, with alternative practices poorly understood, many S<s are unsure how to proceed. While services are in this state of flux, it is the right time to undertake essential child consultation (currently lacking in the field) to ensure the needs and preferences of children are at the centre of service-development.
What we will do
Over the next two years, we will explore how S<s supporting autistic school-aged children should be responding to changing clinical pressures.
We will ask what autistic children want (their priorities and preferences) and, importantly, support autistic children with significant language and communication differences to take part in these consultations.
Additionally, we will ask what concerns S<s working in this area and see how they are currently responding to changes.
How we will do it
Phase 1
We start by undertaking in-depth spoken interviews with school-aged autistic children (9-18 years old) to understand their experiences of accessing S< services, what their priorities are, and what methods of support they prefer.
Phase 2
S<s are then surveyed and interviewed to explore what they are currently doing to respond to changing clinical needs and identify their main concerns going forward.
Phase 3
Using the findings from Phases 1 and 2, we develop visual materials that will allow us to hear the views of autistic children who cannot take part in spoken interviews. We ask them what language and communication goals they prioritise, and how they would prefer to work on these.
Our team
Our project team consists of researchers, healthcare professionals, and a panel of patients and members of the public.
Contact us
Please get in touch if you have any questions about this project.
Principal Investigator: Dr Alexandra Sturrock
Email: alexandra.sturrock@manchester.ac.uk
Joint Principal Investigator: Alison Hunter
Email: alison.hunter@mft.nhs.uk
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead: Carla Rohde
Email: c.c.rohde@sheffield.ac.uk
Co-investigator: Dr Kathy Leadbitter
Email: kathy.leadbitter@manchester.ac.uk
Co-investigator: Dr Katherine Twomey
Email: katherine.twomey@manchester.ac.uk
This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (Grant Reference Number NIHR07963). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Contact Us
+44 (0) 161 306 6000
