Research outputs

Research summaries

• ConNECT Project Overview (PDF)
• ConNECT Baseline Survey Findings (Poster) — AEC Poster: Autism Europe International Congress, 2025 (PDF)

Media coverage

• “The myth of the ‘normal child' ” — The Psychologist (Cook, 2024).

Journal articles

• Cook, A. (2024). Conceptualisations of neurodiversity and barriers to inclusive pedagogy in schools: a perspective article. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs.24, 627–636.
• Cook, A. & Ogden, J. (2021). Teachers’ experiences of supporting autistic pupils: ideology, training and context. European Journal of Special Needs Education. 

Further outputs from the ESRC New Investigator Grant project (2024–2027) are in preparation.

Presentations and conferences

• Autism Europe International Congress, Dublin (September 2025) – Empowering teachers for neuroinclusive schools (Oral presentation, A. Cook) as part of a symposium entitled: Fostering neuroinclusivity in schools: the importance of knowledge, attitudes and culture.
• Autism Europe International Congress, Dublin (September 2025) – ConNECT Baseline findings (Poster, C. Pillinger)

Project updates

Work Package 1 (Longitudinal survey design) 

Baseline survey findings (n = 149 ECTs)

• No significant differences in teacher agency or reflective thinking were found between HEI and SCITT trainees.
• Personal connection to neurodivergence was significantly associated with more positive attitudes toward neurodiversity and autism.
• Qualitative analysis showed ECT definitions of neurodiversity ranged from strong social justice framings (difference not deficit) to more medicalised interpretations focused on diagnoses and impairment.

Work Package 2 (Case study design)

• Protocol and materials refined through co-production; ethics approved June 2025.
• First school pilot launched in September 2025.