Common genetic variants of autism and autistic traits (Spectrum 10K) (360G-Wellcome-214322_Z_18_A)

Despite consultation prior to the launch of Spectrum 10K, the public response to this study revealed a depth of feeling previously unseen within the field. This offers an opportunity for an in-depth, exciting and reciprocal community engagement process that will be of great value to the autism community, the study team, the wider Autism Research Centre, and autism researchers globally. This proposal is to request funds for community engagement, to ensure enough people are included from across all sectors of the autism communities, with voices loud and quiet, including users of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), with and without learning disabilities, supportive and critical, and as many points of view in between as possible. It is an opportunity to work with autistic people to find out how this ambitious aim can be achieved, develop new ways of working, and to share them with the wider autism research community. Note that we use ‘autism community’ and ‘autism communities’ interchangeably as we recognise there is considerable diversity within these. Outcomes \- Increased trust between the Autism Research Centre (ARC) and the autism communities. \- An understanding of what can and should be changed in Spectrum 10K. \- A detailed, published description of the autism communities’ opinions about autism genetics research. This will be a resource for the entire community (including autistic people, carers, policymakers, clinicians and researchers). \- Enhanced team skills in the specifics of engagement with autism communities, in science communication, and in navigating complex ethical issues.