About

Project background

Based at
CRRAG, City St George’s, University of London
Approach
Participatory Action Research
Funding
Research at the Frontier of Practice Doctoral Studentship

The NEEDs Project explores autistic, ADHD and AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) adults’ experiences of UK emergency departments (A&E).

Guided by Participatory Action Research (PAR), the project is co-designed with autistic, ADHD and AuDHD individuals at every stage, from shaping the research questions to sharing the findings. This approach ensures the research is grounded in lived experience and responsive to the needs of the community it aims to support.

The project intends to go beyond describing barriers. The goal is to produce practical, evidence-based recommendations that improve experiences. These outputs will aid emergency department staff, support patients and inform future policy, resulting in more accessible, equitable and inclusive emergency departments.

How the project works

The research happens in three stages, each building on the last.

  1. Stage 1

    National online survey

    Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD and non-neurodivergent adults share their experiences of emergency departments, or their reasons for avoiding them.

  2. Stage 2

    Focus groups and interviews

    In separate online groups and interviews, neurodivergent adults and emergency care staff reflect on the survey findings and plan methods for change.

  3. Stage 3

    Co-produced resources

    Practical, evidence-based materials for:

    • Frontline staff
    • Service leads
    • Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD adults

Autistic, ADHD and AuDHD adults co-produce each and every stage.

The project will explore

  • The lived experience of attending emergency departments as an autistic, ADHD or AuDHD adult
  • The impact and consequences of disclosing neurodivergence to healthcare professionals
  • How the sensory environment, experience of pain and communication differences can create additional barriers to care
  • Structural and systemic barriers that delay or prevent access to appropriate care
  • Factors associated with care avoidance, distress or early departure from emergency departments
  • With input from a range of emergency department staff, co-produced recommendations to improve emergency care experiences

Affiliations