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Adult Autism Spectrum Cohort - UK (ASC-UK)
Adult Autism Spectrum Cohort - UK logo
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Sample details

ASC-UK is a longitudinal study based at Newcastle University that explores the health, wellbeing, and life experiences of autistic adults and their relatives across the UK. Recruitment began in 2014 through NHS services, voluntary organisations, and social media, enrolling adults aged 18 and over with a clinical autism diagnosis from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as relatives who were not required to have their autistic family member in the study. By 2015, over 300 autistic adults and 70 relatives had joined; by 2020, the cohort grew to more than 2,000 autistic adults and 800 relatives. Participants vary widely in age, gender, and ability, including individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, and relatives include parents, siblings, partners, and carers. Follow-up occurs every 18–24 months via questionnaires to track changes in health, wellbeing, and life circumstances over time.

Study design
Cohort - research programme, Cohort

Number of participants at first data collection

2,219 (adults on the autism spectrum)

864 (relatives of adults on the autism spectrum)

Recruitment is ongoing

Age at first data collection

≥ 18 years (adults on the autism spectrum)

≥ 18 years (relatives of adults on the autism spectrum)

Participant year of birth

Varied (adults on the autism spectrum)

Varied (relatives of adults on the autism spectrum)

Participant sex
All

Representative sample at baseline?
No

Sample features

Adults
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Family members
Dataset details
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Countries

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Wales

Year of first data collection

2015

Primary Institutions

Newcastle University (Academic, United Kingdom)

Links

research.ncl.ac.uk/adultautismspectrum/

research.ncl.ac.uk/neurodisability/ourstudies/adultautismspectrumcohort-uk/

doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294232

Profile paper DOI
Not available

Funders

Autistica (Third Sector, United Kingdom)

Ongoing?
Yes

Data types collected

mentalHealthData
qualitativeData
dataLinkage
Quantitative data collection
  • Interview – face-to-face
  • Interview – phone
  • Self-completed questionnaire – paper or computer assisted
Qualitative data collection
  • Interviews or focus groups
Neuroimaging data collection
  • None
Linked or secondary data
  • Healthcare data
Features

Engagement

  • Patients, service users, lived experience involvement
  • Participant or community advisory groups
  • Community engagement
  • Keywords

    Autism and Autism-like conditions
    Education
    Life satisfaction
    Lived experience
    Quality of life
    Social functioning
    Sub-studies
    Work and employment
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