Rationale
Autistic children face many restrictions regarding participation in school. Such challenges can leave children feeling that they are not included at school and that they do not belong (Hodges et al., 2020). Although evidence suggests that reduced school participation and school connectedness has a negative impact upon pupil outcomes, there has been a paucity of interventions aimed at increasing participation and connectedness (Allen, Vella-Brodrick, & Waters, 2016).
This research aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility, appropriateness, and effectiveness of a school-based intervention in UK schools, that seeks to improve the school participation and connectedness of autistic students and their typically developing peers. Initial research conducted in Australia resulted in ‘In My Shoes’. This study will build upon those findings and will develop the tools for delivery in UK schools. It will involve the key stakeholders (pupils, teachers and parents) in the adaptions needed for UK delivery. The focus will be on children in years 4 and 5 (8-10 years old) and a range of schools will be targeted to assess any school factors that influence the success of implementing the intervention.
Description
‘In My Shoes’, is a manualised, peer supported school-based intervention designed to improve the school participation and connectedness of autistic pupils and their typically developing peers (Hodges et al, 2022a). ‘In My Shoes’ includes standardised online professional learning and face-to-face or online support for teachers and school leadership staff; teacher-led whole-class lesson plans; peer training for selected peers; activity ideas to incorporate key messages across the whole school; and weekly parent information handouts and opportunities for parents to participate in the programme. The core concept of the programme, ‘look, think, decide’, teaches perspective taking and social problem-solving skills (Hodges et al, 2022b). This study will have three implementation phases:
Phase 1
Feedback from parents, autistic pupils and educators will be sought on parent information handouts and the intervention manual respectively, in the context of UK schools. Intervention resources will be revised based on the feedback received. Data will be collected via separate focus groups for teachers, parents and pupils with approximately 6-10 participants in each group.
Phase 2
Following revisions to the material, a small feasibility study will be conducted with 10 autistic pupils and their typically developing peers across two or three mainstream year 4 and 5 classrooms in the UK. Changes in the classroom participation and subjective experiences of autistic pupils and pupils’ self-reported school connectedness will be evaluated pre-post intervention using a range of outcome measures.
Phase 3
Following revisions based upon the feasibility study, a quasi-experimental study will be undertaken involving 8 schools and 2 or 3 classes per school across years 4 and 5. This will analyse the implementation of the programme across a range of schools in different settings (i.e., inner city, suburban, coastal, rural) to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the programme in differing environments. This will enable the establishment of any potential school factors which impact upon the intervention.
Each step of this iterative research process will add valuable revisions to the intervention and enhance its effectiveness.
Academic Enquiries
This project is supervised by Dr David Littlefair. For informal queries, please contact [Email Address Removed]. For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions.
Funding Information
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2022/23 full-time study this is £17,668 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis over 5 years (0.6 FTE, stipend £10,600 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).
Please also see further advice below of additional costs that may apply to international applicants.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
- Applicants cannot apply for this funding if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- have settled status, or
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.
- Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
- If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
- Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the university. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
How to Apply
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
For applications to be considered for interview, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. RDF23/…).
Deadline for applications: 27 January 2023
Start date of course: 1 October 2023 tbc
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