RecruitingInterventional

Co-design and feasibility trial of well-being groups for autistic 11-16 year olds

This study is looking into new well-being groups, called 'a-island,' specifically designed for autistic teenagers aged 11 to 16. It's a first-of-its-kind study, aiming to discover if it's possible to do a bigger research project in the future. The main goal of that larger study would be to see if these a-island groups actually help improve how young people feel. Participants will be put into one of two groups: one will attend the a-island groups, and the other will receive the usual local support for autistic teenagers. Everyone will fill out questionnaires over several months to track their well-being. This early study will help researchers understand if a-island is a good idea and how to make it even better for a future, larger trial.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University College London

Enrolment target

Start

05 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2028

Autism

What is this study about?

This research project, run by University College London, is trying out a new type of support group called 'a-island.' These groups are specifically for autistic teenagers aged 11 to 16 and are designed to help with their psychological well-being. Think of it as a first step or a practice run – the main aim right now isn't to prove that a-island definitely works, but rather to see if it's practical and possible to do a much bigger study later on that *would* find out if it works.

Because this is the very first time these particular groups are being tested, the researchers want to make sure everything is set up correctly. They will be looking at how easy it is to recruit young people, how well the groups run, and what people think of them. This feedback is really important and will be used to improve the a-island programme before any bigger, more definite studies happen.

The study is funded by a major UK organisation, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and is part of a larger effort to find new and effective ways to support the well-being of autistic young people.

Key takeaways

It's a trial of new 'a-island' well-being groups for autistic teenagers.
Aims to see if a bigger study is possible in the future.
Participants are aged 11-16 with an autism diagnosis.
You might attend 'a-island' groups or get standard care.
Involves filling out questionnaires and using a well-being app.
You get shopping vouchers for your time.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, young people need to be between 11 and 16 years old and have an official diagnosis of autism. They also need to live in England or Wales.

It's important that participants are able and willing to attend the group sessions when they are scheduled. If a young person has already received a lot of support (specifically, three or more sessions of autism support or education from a health professional) in the last year, this study might not be suitable for them.

The researchers also need to make sure that taking part in a group setting is safe and appropriate for everyone. Therefore, young people who have serious and ongoing thoughts of harming themselves, or who are currently getting intensive mental health support, might not be able to join. The researchers will check these things carefully and will talk to existing healthcare professionals if needed, to make sure it's the right fit.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 11 and 16 years old?
Do you have an official diagnosis of autism?
Do you live in England or Wales?
Are you able and willing to attend group sessions?
Have you *not* had more than 2 sessions of autism support from a health professional in the last year?
Do you feel safe and able to participate in a group setting?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be randomly placed into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will attend the special 'a-island' well-being groups. The other group will be directed to the usual support available for autistic teenagers in your local area. The full study is expected to run from January 2026 to October 2030, but your individual participation will involve a few months of activities.

You'll be asked to fill out some questionnaires four times: once at the very beginning, and then again after 10, 16, and 24 weeks. These questionnaires will ask about your well-being, how you're feeling mentally, and any health or care services you've used. There's also a special app that you'll use for 5 days at the start of the study and again after 16 weeks to record your feelings about your autism identity and well-being in the moment.

As a thank you for completing the questionnaires, you'll receive shopping vouchers. Towards the end of the study, some young people, parents, and group facilitators might be invited to short discussion groups (called 'focus groups') to share their experiences and help the researchers make the 'a-island' groups even better for future studies.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part in this early study is that you would be contributing to developing potentially helpful support for autistic young people in the future. If you are in the 'a-island' group, you might find the group sessions beneficial. While specific benefits and risks were not detailed at the study's registration, generally, participating in research involving groups or questionnaires carries very low risk. Some people might find answering personal questions a bit uncomfortable, but you can always skip questions you don't want to answer. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

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Approximate
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Common questions

What is 'a-island'?

'a-island' is the name of new well-being groups designed specifically for autistic teenagers to help them feel better about themselves and their mental health.

Why is this study being done?

This is a first step to see if these 'a-island' groups are practical and can be studied on a larger scale later on, to find out if they truly help autistic young people improve their well-being.

Will I definitely get to be in an 'a-island' group?

No, participants will be randomly placed into one of two groups: either the 'a-island' group or a group that receives standard local support.

Do I get paid for taking part?

You will receive shopping vouchers for completing the questionnaires at different stages of the study.

How long will I be involved?

Your involvement will include answering questions at the start, and then after 10, 16, and 24 weeks, plus using an app for two short periods. The overall study runs for several years, but your participation is over a few months.

How to find out more

Kate Cooper

k.r.cooper@ucl.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.