Empowering autistic children through innovative support

The Open University has awarded funding through its Open Societal Challenges platform to support a groundbreaking research project in partnership with the charity Transforming Autism. The project, titled The Effectiveness of Strengths-Based Early Intervention with Young Autistic Children and Their Families, will explore the impact of early intervention on young autistic children and their families, with a particular focus on promoting strengths-based developmental approaches.

Transforming Autism is a charity dedicated to empowering autistic children and their families through innovative support programmes. The project will build upon the charity’s successful First Steps - An Early Autism Family Support programme, which provides in-home therapeutic support for children up to four years old. By fostering playful and positive interactions between children and their families, the programme aims to create a nurturing environment that supports healthy development and enhances family relationships. First Steps was funded by the Norland Foundation and co-created and developed by Dr Theodora Papatheodorou, Transforming Autism, Parents of Autistic children and Therapeutic practitioners.

The new research, led by Dr Colette Christiansen and Dr Claudi Thomas from The Open University, will receive £18,820 in funding and is scheduled to run for the duration of 2025. The study will involve eight families who have already completed the First Steps programme, gathering data through interviews, focus groups, and an in-depth analysis of family experiences. By evaluating the developmental outcomes for children and identifying effective elements of the programme, the research aims to inform the design of future interventions and provide essential evidence for policy advocacy around early autism support.

Chief Executive of Transforming Autism, Tracy Pepper, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, "By partnering with The Open University, we can deepen our understanding of how to better support young autistic children and their families. Early intervention can make a profound difference in helping children reach their full potential and thrive within their families and communities."

The research team includes lead researcher Lucie Wheeler from RECAP Ltd, who will oversee data collection and analysis, with advisory support from early childhood expert Dr Theodora Papatheodorou. The findings are expected to contribute significantly to the wider discourse on autism support and early intervention.

In addition to producing a comprehensive report and peer-reviewed research papers, the project will culminate in an Early Intervention Autism Summit in November 2025. This event will bring together researchers, practitioners, parents, and policymakers to share insights and advocate for greater investment in early support strategies.

By backing this project, The Open University continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges through research and collaboration. The funding awarded through the Open Societal Challenges platform reinforces the university’s role in supporting initiatives that drive meaningful social impact and improve lives across communities.