Centre for Applied Autism Research team
Our team has a wide range of academic and clinical psychology expertise with a focus on supporting the autism community.
Centre for Applied Autism Research
We research the strengths and challenges experienced by autistic people, to facilitate full and active involvement within society.
Our autism research
Our research focuses on the strengths and challenges experienced by autistic people, developing practical applications through participatory research to support the autism community.
Centre for Applied Autism Research themes
Our research seeks to improve the lives of Autistic people, with a focus on education, employment, mental health and criminal justice services.
Donate to our Centre for Applied Autism Research
Please support us to help improve the lives of autistic people. At the Designation box, please select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu and then type ‘CAAR’.
Resources for researchers and the autism community
Download our key documents and guidelines.
Get involved with our Centre for Applied Autism Research
We are always looking for researchers, students, practitioners and members of the community to train, share ideas, develop research and foster collaborations.
Centre for Applied Autism Research publications
Find journal articles relating to our research.
World Autism Acceptance Month lunchtime webinars
This World Autism Acceptance Month (April 2026), join our webinars to hear all about the research we are doing at the Centre for Applied Autism Research.
- Co-designing research: A Blueprint for Autistic community involvement - 1 April, 12pm to 1pm (BST)
- Autism, autistic traits and extreme social withdrawal (‘hikikomori’) - 16 April, 12pm to 1pm (BST)
- Sensationally Autistic: supporting Autistic sensory challenges and joys - 27 April, 12pm to 1pm (BST)
News and projects
View the latest updates from our Centre.
Celebrating autism for Autism Acceptance Month 2025
The Centre for Applied Autism Research are welcoming submissions to celebrate autism at the University of Bath for Autism Acceptance Month 2025 during April.
Autism in court: Measuring special measures
This Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded project examines the provision of 'special measures' for autistic individuals when in court settings.
Report highlights need for greater support for individuals awaiting autism diagnostic assessment
The Westminster Commission on Autism report argues that people awaiting referrals for an autism diagnosis need more help and support.
Centre for Applied Autism Research team shortlisted for national award
Our Centre for Applied Autism Research team have been shortlisted for a national award for their research taking place on 27 February 2020.
Ambassadors for autism: Adapting services for autistic service users
Service providers took part in a workshop to create evidence-based adaptations to improve their communication with autistic people.
Summer schools
We run four annual autism summer schools for students thinking about going to university.
Summer schools for autistic students thinking of going to university
We offer a range of annual summer schools for Year 11, 12 and 13 students.
Online school prepares autistic students for university
Online school designed to support autistic students through their first term at university is being offered for free by the Centre for Applied Autism Research.
About us
Our team at the Centre for Applied Autism Research (CAAR) are developing and integrating novel cognitive and neuroscientific methodologies to improve the understanding of autism, developing practical applications to support autistic people, and working with the autistic community and a range of stakeholders.
Contact us
Contact us to find out more about our research.