Browsing by Person "Meff, Tamsin"

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Learning from the experiences of autistic professionals working in health and education
(Mary Ann Liebert, 2025-01-20) Curnow, Eleanor; Maciver, Donald; Johnston, Lorna; Murray, Mairead; Johnstone-Cooke, Victoria; Utley, Izy; Jenkins, Natalie; Meff, Tamsin; Muggleton, Joshua; Rutherford, Marion
Background: This study aimed to explore the experiences of autistic professionals working in the public sector in Scotland and investigate the factors that supported them in achieving employment in their chosen career. Methods: We interviewed 34 autistic adults employed in professional roles in the health and education sectors in Scotland about their successes and challenges during training, recruitment, and employment. Interview conversations of 60–90-minute duration were transcribed verbatim. The research team, which included autistic and non-autistic researchers, conducted inductive thematic analysis. Results: Resultant themes included complexity of disclosure; navigating differences in social communication and across employment stages; and control of the environment. Autistic professionals face inequalities and unsupportive environments. Participants described multifaceted decision-making processes behind choices to disclose or withhold their autism diagnosis, which could determine their right to workplace accommodations or provoke unfavorable treatment. The styles of communication preferred by colleagues could engender misunderstanding and lead to challenges negotiating social situations, recruitment processes, and organizational culture. Participants’ needs and preferences for predictability and routine required them to use strategies to overcome the negative impacts of suboptimal social and physical environments. Conclusion: Findings confirm the importance of acceptance and inclusion and demonstrate that there is a need for culture change within public sector education and health workplaces to improve accessibility. Applying minor changes to the environment and individual communication styles can enhance workplace conditions for autistic employees.
Mental health in autistic adults: a rapid review of prevalence of psychiatric disorders and umbrella review of the effectiveness of interventions within a neurodiversity informed perspective
(Public Library of Science, 2023-07-13) Curnow, Eleanor; Rutherford, Marion; Maciver, Donald; Johnston, Lorna; Prior, Susan; Boilson, Marie; Shah, Premal; Jenkins, Natalie; Meff, Tamsin
Background Autistic adults have high risk of mental ill-health and some available interventions have been associated with increased psychiatric diagnoses. Understanding prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses is important to inform the development of individualised treatment and support for autistic adults which have been identified as a research priority by the autistic community. Interventions require to be evaluated both in terms of effectiveness and regarding their acceptability to the autistic community. Objective This rapid review identified the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in autistic adults, then systematic reviews of interventions aimed at supporting autistic adults were examined. A rapid review of prevalence studies was completed concurrently with an umbrella review of interventions. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, including protocol registration (PROSPERO#CRD42021283570). Data sources MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Study eligibility criteria English language; published 2011–2022; primary studies describing prevalence of psychiatric conditions in autistic adults; or systematic reviews evaluating interventions for autistic adults. Appraisal and synthesis Bias was assessed using the Prevalence Critical Appraisal Instrument and AMSTAR2. Prevalence was grouped according to psychiatric diagnosis. Interventions were grouped into pharmacological, employment, psychological or mixed therapies. Strength of evidence for interventions was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Autistic researchers within the team supported interpretation. Results Twenty prevalence studies were identified. Many included small sample sizes or failed to compare their sample group with the general population reducing validity. Prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses was variable with prevalence of any psychiatric diagnosis ranging from 15.4% to 79%. Heterogeneity was associated with age, diagnosis method, sampling methods, and country. Thirty-two systematic reviews of interventions were identified. Four reviews were high quality, four were moderate, five were low and nineteen critically low, indicating bias. Following synthesis, no intervention was rated as ‘evidence based.’ Acceptability of interventions to autistic adults and priorities of autistic adults were often not considered. Conclusions There is some understanding of the scope of mental ill-health in autism, but interventions are not tailored to the needs of autistic adults, not evidence based, and may focus on promoting neurotypical behaviours rather than the priorities of autistic people.
The experiences of autistic professionals working in health and education: A systematic review
(Mary Ann Liebert, 2025) Curnow, Eleanor; Maciver, Donald; Meff, Tamsin; Muggleton, Joshua; Johnston, Lorna; Gray, Anna; Day, Helen; Kourti, Marianthi; Utley, Izy; Rutherford, Marion