This project aimed to improve support for autistic young people as they transition to adulthood. The project was a trial of an online peer support group programme that helps participants explore their autistic identity and set personal goals for the future.

1. To find out how easy it is to recruit and keep participants in the study, to help plan for a larger, future study.
2. To check whether participants are comfortable with being randomly assigned to different groups and how their progress is measured.
3. To describe what “care as usual” involves, to understand what support people normally receive.
4. To see how acceptable both the new intervention and “care as usual” are to participants.
5. To look at how much participant’s results vary, to work out how many participants would be needed for a larger, future study.

The period of transition to adulthood (ages 16-25) is a critical time for autistic young people, as demands of adult life increase while formal support reduces. Adult services do not provide sufficient levels of support, leaving many autistic young people feeling unprepared and unsure where to access help.

Research shows that autistic people typically do not receive the tailored post diagnostic support they need, especially during this transition period when they are developing their identity and forming relationships. Support at this stage can help young people:

• understand their autistic identity;
• develop problem-solving and life skills;
• connect with peers who share similar experiences.

This study addressed an important gap in research and represents an important step towards improving post diagnostic support and well-being for autistic young people. It aligned with our Moonshot Vision towards a society that works for autistic people by ensuring accessible support and recognition of their needs.

Before this research, there was a pilot phase led by Professor Laura Crane and Ambitious about Autism, where the groups were co-designed and this process was evaluated.

There were two parts to the ATAG project:

1. Co-design the “Understanding You, Discovering You” (UYDY) intervention

Autistic young adults worked together with the ATAG team to co-design a 6-session online peer support programme for autistic young people transitioning to adulthood. The team met collaboratively to develop content, focusing on clear communication and meaningful involvement. Discussions and reflections were documented throughout the process.

2. Run a feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)

A small feasibility RCT was conducted to determine whether a larger study would be possible. 70 autistic young people aged 16-25 from England and Wales took part. They were randomly assigned to either:

• Take part in an online peer support programme (UYDY)
• Continue with their usual care (“care as usual”)

UYDY was a 6-week online group programme co-led by an autistic facilitator and social care professionals. It focused on understanding autism, building skills for adulthood, accessing support and connecting with other autistic people.

Participants completed questionnaires about wellbeing, quality of life, autism identity, social support and loneliness at the start of the study, and again at 8, 16 and 24 weeks later. Carer impact was also measured. Some participants were interviewed to share their experiences of the programme, usual care and their participation.

The information from this trial helped inform the design of a larger-scale study.

• Kate Cooper (Co-Lead Investigator) is a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at University College London. Her work aims to improve well-being and address mental health problems in autistic individuals.
• Will Mandy (Co-Lead Investigator) is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor at University college London. His research aims at helping autistic people live happier, more satisfying lives.
• The rest of the research leadership team included autistic young people (Leon Allain and Lucy Portway), staff at Ambitious about Autism, and academics from different universities.
• The research was supported by Rachel VanDaalen (Research Associate), and Labeebah Islaam (Research Assistant).

Our charity supported the project throughout, including recruiting autistic participants, and shared the study’s findings.

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Autistica.

This project took place over two years from September 2023 to September 2025.

Project website: ATAG Research

Published paper 2024

Published paper 2025