Current Action Research Projects

Action research plays a major role in the work we undertake as Kingwood strives to gain a deeper understanding of autism and the impact this has on the lives of individuals concerned, particularly with regard to sense and perception.  This new understanding is then used to inform how we deliver our services.  Our current action research programme includes the following projects:

Autism and Design of Housing

In partnership with the Helen Hamlyn Centre at the Royal College of Art

Since 2009 Kingwood has worked with the Helen Hamlyn Centre at the Royal College of Art to explore the way in which housing is designed and how this impacts on the lives of people with autism and Asperger’s.  Results from the first phase of the study led to the successful joint publication of the book ‘Living in the Community – Housing Design for Adults with Autism.’ This year we have been focusing on how people with autism interact with an environment that has been specifically adapted and furnished to take account of their individual sensory issues.  We have then gone on to begin assessing whether these adaptations have minimised stress and anxiety triggers for each of the individuals involved in the project and moreover, whether through appropriately structured stimulation within these new environments opportunities can be developed for each person to develop new skills.  Further information from this study will be available towards the end of the year.

A shortened version of the book referred to above, in the form of a briefing document, can be accessed by clicking here.

Active Support

In partnership with Bangor University

Active Support is a method of supporting someone with a learning disability to take part in everyday activities and relationships. It is a philosophy of care, a set of procedures and a collection of working methods.

The philosophy of care uses participation by the person being supported in the ordinary activities of daily life as a central measure of quality of life and an outcome of good quality service support. 

The working practices and procedures in Active Support are rooted in a system of personalised support. Staff aim to ensure no opportunity is missed to encourage full participation, and that there is continuity in the moment-to-moment support they provide.

Activity plans and scripts are developed which describe each individual’s personal routines and sensitivities, making sure that appropriate support is provided, and that in shared tenancies they do not clash. Good quality plans provide all the benefits of structure and routine without being rigid or impersonal. They help staff support personal routines consistently; so individual clients don’t have to alter the way they get things done according to which member of staff happens to be on duty. Activity scripts maximize consistency further by breaking down complex activities into smaller component parts.

When staff follow scripts they help the client carry out the activity the same way every time so that gradually it becomes easier for the person to act independently. Active Support environments are highly person-centred. After training staff provide support and assistance in place of demand and control, focusing mainly on engaging in activities and making sure activity materials are readily and predictably available and take account of the person’s sensitivities and needs. Support is tailored on a moment-to-moment basis from what is described as the ‘least-to-most’, so the person being supported rarely fails, but also avoids becoming over-reliant on being helped by staff thus increasing independence.

Kingwood’s initial trial of Active Support has recently been extended to include additional people within the individuals we support.  If the evaluation of the pilot scheme continues to achieve positive results it will eventually be rolled out across the organisation on the basis that it’s suitable for the individual concerned.

Additional projects are currently underway into how technology based interventions could greatly enhance the quality of life for people with autism. Further details will be available at a later date.