The Preschool Autism Communication Trial (PACT) was one of the largest studies ever of a communication-based therapy for autistic children and their families, and the only one to have undertaken a long-term follow-up study after therapy preserving the original intervention groups.

It took place in London, Greater Manchester and North-East England. For both the previous phases of study, we met with families to obtain a detailed picture of how their child was developing, how things were going for the family, and the sorts of services that were being accessed.

Following up into early adulthood

PACT 20+ is a second follow-up phase of the PACT trial, this time into early adulthood. We plan to connect with as many of the families who took part in the previous studies as possible.

Little is known about what factors in childhood can affect early adulthood wellbeing and adaptation. Building a detailed picture of all the participants who took part in the previous studies, and how they have progressed, is important to help understand the different ways in which therapeutic support in early childhood may or may not impact on a range of aspects of life.

This project involves an active collaboration between researchers, autistic young adults and adults, and parents of autistic children. It will investigate early adult outcomes, including effects on families and unpaid carers and enduring impact on health and social care service use. It will also include an exploration of the now young-adult participants’ lived experiences. 

Key contributors

There are several institutions with key personnel contributing to the running of the PACT20+ study: 

University of Manchester

• Professor Jonathan Green (PI) [member of the Senior Leadership Group]
• Dr Charlotte Rothwell
• Ms Megan Pritchard

Birkbeck University of London

• Professor Jonathan Smith [member of the Senior Leadership Group]
• Dr Rachel Starr     

London School of Economics

• Professor Martin Knapp [member of the Senior Leadership Group]
• Dr Magdalena Walbaum  

Newcastle University

• Professor Jeremy Parr
• Dr Jessica Maxwell

Advisory group members

There are additional advisory group members attached to each study phase, with some overlaps in personnel and including Experts by Experience, who are engaged in advising the Work Packages and providing a reference point for decisions. 

University of Manchester

• Ms Karen Leneh Buckle
• Dr Richard Smallman
• Dr Catherine Aldred
• Dr Kathy Leadbitter

Birkbeck University of London

• Dr Emily Jones

London School of Economics

• Dr Michela Tinelli
• Dr Camilla Fasano
• Ms Maria Karagiannidou

Newcastle University

• Professor Helen McConachie
• Professor Ann Le Couteur
• Dr Victoria Grahame 

King’s College London

• Professor Tony Charman
• Professor Patricia Howlin
• Professor Andrew Pickles
• Dr Vicky Slonims

University of Kent

• Professor Nicola Shaughnessy
• Dr Damian Milton

University of Surrey

• Dr Emma Williams 

University of Milano-Bicocca

• Professor Erica Salomone

Find out more

For further information, please contact Megan Pritchard, PACT20+ Research Assistant.

Email: megan.pritchard-2@manchester.ac.uk

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