Action 83 of the Autism Innovation Strategy aims to:
- examine the nature and extent of young autistic people and young people with other disabilities facing a crisis.
- examine the adequacy of the services and supports currently provided for autistic children and young people and for children and young people with other disabilities in family crisis situations.
- examine the demand, availability and appropriateness of existing respite and other community services to meet their needs.
Data collection for this research involves two phases:
Phase I – A survey of parents, carers or guardians of children and young people (up to age 23) who are autistic and/or disabled (e.g., who have an intellectual disability, or a mental, emotional or psychological condition) who have experienced, or have been close to experiencing a crisis related to caring for their child or young person.
Phase II - Interviews with:
- autistic/disabled children and young people (up to age 23) who have experienced crisis,
- parents/carers who have experienced a crisis while caring for their autistic/disabled child or young person (up to age 23), and
- key stakeholders such as Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), health and disability professionals, therapeutic services, schools, and law enforcement.
Phase I of the research is currently underway.
If you have any questions about this research please contact the project manager Dr Carly Cheevers at research@nda.ie.
This research received ethical approval from the Reference Research Ethics Committee Midlands Area and Corporate Division (HSE Dublin & Midlands) in July 2025.
To inform this work we commissioned a literature review from the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Trinity College Dublin on the Factors that lead to the development of behaviours that challenge and prevention and management of crisis situations among children and young adults with disability.