Calling all autistic pupils, parents/carers and secondary school staff!
Surrey’s All-Age-Autism (AAA) Team is working with Surrey University researchers to explore the mealtime experiences of autistic pupils attending secondary school in Surrey. The results will inform new guidance on appropriate mealtime support and accommodations for autistic pupils across all secondary schools in Surrey.
The lead researchers from Surrey University, Dr Helen Lambert (Senior Lecturer in Public Health) and Dr Siobhan McCormack (MSc Nutritional Medicine), want to hear as many voices as possible including those of autistic students (both past and present), their parents/carers and school staff involved in school mealtimes in any way. This includes any teaching, support, admin, and catering staff.
I have spent the past year deep-diving into the evidence on all aspects of the school experience for autistic pupils in the UK, but there is a big gap around school mealtimes. No one has ever specifically researched this topic, and it was Surrey’s excellent AAA team who brought this to our attention, as they told us that mealtimes seem to be a particularly challenging event for many autistic students.
If we can get enough completed responses, the results could potentially improve the mealtime experience for autistic students across all Surrey secondary schools. That’s massive!”
Dr Siobhan McCormack MSC Surrey University researcher and NHS GP
Find out more and complete the survey
Whilst gathering surveys from autistic pupils, through the autism participation group ATLAS is a main priority, the researchers desperately need to hear more from parents/carers and school staff.
This survey is for any parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs who attend mainstream secondary schools in Surrey, and who are part of Family Voice Surrey.
This survey is for any young person who attends a secondary school in Surrey and who is part of the Surrey Youth Voice participation group ATLAS.
This survey is for any staff who work in secondary schools within Surrey County and are involved with school mealtimes in any capacity.
When does the survey end?
The survey ends 16 August 2025, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to contribute to this important study. Please help if you can!
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