Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The University is leading a new trial to help address why autism is experienced by entire family units, yet many existing healthcare systems do not take wider effects on the whole family into account.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it will examine whether a specially developed package of support – Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling (SAFE) – can significantly improve the mental health, wellbeing, and functioning of all family members.
In this video, Dr Becky Stancer and Dr Tara Vassallo – who have been instrumental in the development of SAFE – talk about its potential benefits for families and the difference it has already made to those involved in pilot studies. You can also read more on our website at plymouth.ac.uk/news/project-aims-to-transform-care-and-support-for-families-with-an-autistic-child
The University is leading a new trial to help address why autism is experienced by entire family units, yet many existing healthcare systems do not take wider effects on the whole family into account.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), it will examine whether a specially developed package of support – Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling (SAFE) – can significantly improve the mental health, wellbeing, and functioning of all family members.
In this video, Dr Becky Stancer and Dr Tara Vassallo – who have been instrumental in the development of SAFE – talk about its potential benefits for families and the difference it has already made to those involved in pilot studies. You can also read more on our website at plymouth.ac.uk/news/project-aims-to-transform-care-and-support-for-families-with-an-autistic-child
