The Autism Education Trust has commissioned important new research – the Outcomes Project – to look at the relationship between education and adult outcomes for people with autism.
The research, led by Dr Kerstin Wittemeyer from the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the University of Birmingham, is looking into what current educational targets and assessments are used for children on the autism spectrum within schools in England and how they relate to children’s outcomes in the short term, as well as in the longer term in adult life.
The research team is looking to identify what range of positive outcomes people on the autism spectrum are aiming for and what aspects of childhood schooling can lead to positive outcomes.
Specific aims of the Outcomes Project are:
- To understand how educational goals are set for children and young people with autism, and why they have been selected.
- To find out how educational progress is measured in children and young people with autism, and whether these are appropriate measures.
- To define what educational goals are best preparing children and young people with autism for what they want to achieve in adult life.
- To write a set of recommendations on how future educational practice can lead to good adult outcomes for people with autism.
As part of the research, a range of people in England including children, young people and adults on the autism spectrum, parents, practitioners, regulators and others who may be influencing policy-making, are being consulted through a series of online surveys, focus groups and face-to-face interviews.
Further information about the Outcomes Project and all of the surveys that you are able to take part in online can be found on the AET website here.
The closing date for submissions is Sunday 15 May 2011.
An online report and summary of the findings will be published on the AET website in early Autumn 2011.
For all enquiries regarding the Outcomes Project, please contact Dr Kerstin Wittemeyer on 01214158148 or k.wittemeyer@bham.ac.uk.