Leading autism research charity Autistica calling on autistic people and their families to join a new national autism research network. With 1 in 100 people estimated to be autistic in the UK, the network aims to radically improve scientific understanding of challenges in autism, such as language and communication, mental and physical health and epilepsy.

Called Discover, the autism research network will link together the UK’s top research universities with individuals interested in research, such as autism researchers, families and autistic people. Charities, hospitals and care providers will also be able to join and participate in autism science.

“Discover will involve our whole community for the first time to collaborate and drive a revolution in autism research. We want to bring experts together to develop a national approach to autism research, increase joint working within the research community and ensure the UK remains a world leader in autism research. But most importantly, Discover will give autistic people and their families the chance to have their say and become involved in life-changing research.“ according to Jon Spiers the CEO of Autistica!

Autistica, together with its research partners, aims to recruit 20,000 autistic people and families to join Discover by 2021, potentially participating in a raft of research projects planned over the next four years.

These research projects are designed to answer the key questions autistic people and their families have prioritised including autism-specific mental health treatments, tools for better communication, and improving autistic employment and social care.  You can see the full strategy and list of community priorities here: https://autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-strategy

 utistic people of all ages and abilities, together with their families or carers, are invited to join Discover as soon as possible by visiting https://autistica.org.uk/get-involved/take-part-in-research. Researchers can sign up at: https://autistica.org.uk/our-research/discover-network.

“Through the Discover research network, we will deliver longer, happier, healthier lives for autistic people and their family members together.  Most research doesn’t happen in a laboratory. It could be as simple as filling in a survey or joining a focus group and there is a lot of research that can be done from the comfort of your own home. Research is the only way to change the future for autistic people and their families and we need everyone’s help to give them the answers they desperately need.” said Dr James Cusack, Director of Science at Autistica