Health Checks for Autistic Adults

Many autistic people have said that they find accessing healthcare difficult. Autistic people have also said that identifying their health needs and managing appointments with professionals can also be difficult. Health checks can identify important conditions that affect health and wellbeing and are available to people through the NHS.

We co-designed a health check for autistic adults in partnership with autistic people, carers and supporters of autistic adults, and Primary Care staff. In this study, we investigated whether this health check was acceptable to autistic people and whether there is evidence that it improves health outcomes. We also evaluated whether it is feasible to deliver in the NHS.

Latest Updates and Summaries of Findings

This section includes two infographics — Clear, easy-to-read visuals — one for autistic adults, carers, and supporters, and another for healthcare professionals and policy makers. You’ll also find a short, accessible video introducing the health check process and its benefits. Additionally, there are two presentations: a 15-minute summary of findings shared at the Autism Europe Conference, and a more detailed 45-minute presentation covering the broader research programme.
For further reading, links to our published papers are available in the What We Have Learned section of this website.

Infographics

These infographics describing the main trial findings.  An infographic is a simple and visual way to share information.
It combines images, charts, and short explanations to help you quickly understand key points.  

Brief Infographic: One page

Detailed Infographic: Two pages

Animation

We created a short animation to introduce the Health Checks for Autistic Adults study, the health checks process and benefits.  We hope this animation conveys key messages to autistic adults, carers and health professionals.
Click on the image below to watch the animation. 

 

Presentations

We have published two videos so you can choose whichever you'd like to watch and hear about the results.  Below this is a 15 minute summary video presentation from a conference, and a 45 minute detailed presentation about all stages of the research.

Autism Europe Conference, Dublin, September 2025 (15 min) 
We presented some of the findings from the trial at the Autism Europe Conference in September 2025.
This presentation focussed on the acceptability of the health check and learning for delivering health checks for autistic adults in the future. 

 

Dissemination event in London, September 2025 (45 min)
We held an event in London in September 2025 to share the findings from the research programme. The event was attended by NHS England Autism Programme, Autistica, the National Autistic Society, CQC and the Department of Health and Social care (amongst others).

Professional Practice Paper - National Autistic Society: Learn

Link: Improving the health and wellbeing of autistic people through a primary care health check
Published on 05 May 2026
Author: Helen Taylor, Hannah Merrick, Jeremy Parr and Barry Ingham on behalf of the Health Checks for Autistic Adults Study Consortium

Implementation Paper - Sage Journals

Link: Acceptability and Implementation of a Primary Care Health Check for Autistic People: Findings From Evaluation Questionnaires and Interviews
Published on 16 June 2026
Author: Hannah Merrick, Helen Taylor, Jeremy Parr and Barry Ingham on behalf of the Health Checks for Autistic Adults Study Consortium

If you are interested in using our health check tools, please contact the research team – healthchecks@ncl.ac.uk

The study was led by Professor Jeremy Parr and Dr Barry Ingham alongside a consortium of autistic people, health professionals and researchers.

The trial was sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Autistica and NHS England