Research

At Ambitious about Autism, we want everything we do to be based on high-quality, reliable scientific evidence. This evidence often comes from research.  

What we mean by research  

Research is any planned work that aims to answer questions and create new knowledge that can be applied and used more widely. Research uses a clear plan and way of doing things to answer a new question or test an idea.  

By using research, we’re always learning and improving so we can better support autistic children, young people, and their families. 

How we use research 

1. Staying informed
   We keep up to date with the latest information and research about autism, education, and support. We share what we learn with our staff, audiences, and decision-makers so everyone can use the best ideas and approaches.
2. Improving our work
   We carefully evaluate our own programmes and services to see what’s working well and how we can do even better. 
3. Creating new knowledge
   We carry out our own research to support our campaigns and policy work. We also partner with universities and other charities on projects that align with our goals and help fill important gaps in knowledge. 

We believe research should focus on what really matters to autistic people and the wider autism community. That’s why we work with autistic children and young people, their families, and professionals to plan, conduct, and share research. 

Explore our current and past research projects and their findings below.