Specialist Enablement IRAS Project V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention in supporting adults with high-functioning autism living in the community

• IRAS ID

  182058

• Contact name

  Ute Vann

• Contact email

  ute.vann@kent.gov.uk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  The Kent County Council Autistic Spectrum Conditions Team proposed to undertake a study to examine the impact and effectiveness of specialist Occupational Therapy intervention to adults with formal diagnoses of high functioning autism living in the community. The study will cover a period of one year and is a time series design involving 36 participants and using pre-and post- intervention measures (ABB design). Participation in the research is voluntary and over a 12 week period participants will be provided with specialist intervention. The study will use a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods. It will measure and compare outcomes using pre- and post-intervention scored self-assessed questionnaires such as the Autism Outcome Star and Self-Esteem Questionnaire for participants and a carer’s evaluation questionnaire, where there is a carer, at the end of specialist intervention. The research also applies a Kent County Council cost setting tool to measure the cost of support pre- and post-intervention, in order to identify any reduction in support needs. Other data will be collated through a semi structured post intervention interview. The study will incorporate a longitudinal element in that participants are followed up 12 weeks after specialist intervention ends, to provide information if any benefits from intervention can be sustained over time. Analysis of the data will incorporate descriptive statistics will provide summaries about the sample and measures and comparisons between participants and explore whether generalisations about any differential outcomes can be made. The research will be carried out by members of the Autistic Spectrum Conditions Team. It will be monitored internally and by a Focus Group with representation from service users, carers, Local Authority and academia in the field.
  - See more at: http://www.hra.nhs.uk/news/research-summaries/specialist-enablement-iras-project-v1/#sthash.xbfBkYNc.dpuf

• REC name

  Social Care REC

• REC reference

  15/IEC08/0036

• Date of REC Opinion

  17 Jul 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion