Autism, Ageing, and Health and Social Care Technologies: Developing a shared understanding, ensuring informed consent, and embedding into practice

Autistic people with and without learning disabilities suffer from health and social care inequalities and life course inequalities, however, there is a paucity of research with older autistic people. There have been major advances in health and social care technologies which can be harnessed to support autistic people as they age. Health and Social care technologies are continuing to advance and are likely to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and support in-person care however very few projects have involved older autistic people with learning disabilities and their care and support networks. This project therefore seeks to develop a shared understanding of health and social care technologies and how they can be implemented with older autistic people. We aim to develop methods and guidance to meaningfully involve autistic people in the design of their care as they age, making decisions around the use of new technologies, how data is shared, and involving and harnessing care and supports that already exist. Our project is a partnership between Scottish Autism and Heriot-Watt University. It is across 5 work packages (WPs). The first WP, in months 1-3, will lay the foundations of the co-production process including forming a co-production panel comprising autistic people with and without learning disabilities, and health and social care staff. In WP2 (months 3-6) we will familiarise the co-production panel with health and social care technologies. We will do this by conducting a visit to our Living Lab, a multidisciplinary lab that includes a purpose-built flat to test, develop, and demonstrate assistive robots, artificial intelligence, and smart sensor technology at the National Robotarium, and by taking technologies out to community settings. We will develop an understanding of the key issues, concerns, and what supports can be better harnessed in WP3 (months 6-8) by running workshops with the co-production panel and by holding focus groups with social care practitioners. These discussions will be supported and summarised by an artist who will capture the discussions allowing contributors to reflect on the discussions. In WP4, the longest of the WPs (months 8-17) we will develop designs and materials to support understanding and engagement with health and social care technologies. We will produce materials including films, infographics, and interactive displays to support understanding and engagement and we will develop reflections and recommendations about how to embed technologies into care. Finally, in WP5 (months 17-19) we will share our findings in knowledge exchange events, through publishing. We will co-produce a programme grant focusing on identified community priorities in health and social care technologies. Throughout the project we will be guided by an Advisory Panel which will consist of 6-7 people. The Advisory Panel will comprise autistic people, one of which will have learning disabilities, health and social care professionals and managers, and a data management specialist.