The National Centre For Autism Studies was launched in June 2004. At that time an informal national network of people interested in the field of autism in Scotland was fast building. The Masters in Autism had been running for 6 years and through a programme of annual course conferences, research and development grants to members of the course team, publication and informal networking the need to formalize connections across research, policy and practice became evident. An Advisory Group established in 2003 led to Aline-Wendy Dunlop and Tommy Mackay approaching the Dean of the then Faculty of Education at University of Strathclyde to discuss the setting up of a National Centre for Autism Studies. In June 2004 the Centre was launched. Eight years on, the Masters programme led by Anna Robinson is well established and integrated into course delivery in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the National Centre is a grouping of lecturing and research staff with a specialist focus in Autism.

 

The National Centre for Autism Studies aims make a difference to the lives of people with autism spectrum disorders, their families and the professionals who work with them by aspiring to Excellence in Knowledge Exchange, Teaching, Research and Practice.

 

NCAS aims to

• work in partnership with any relevant organisation concerned with the development of understanding in or services for persons with autism.

• enable partnerships between relevant organisations for knowledge exchange, training, research and practice.

• Attract, develop and promote research initiatives in a wide range of areas that have relevance for people with autism their families and the professionals involved in their education, care and support.

• influence directly, consistently and positively the practice among the growing range of professionals who come into contact with persons with autism and their families.

• influence directly the knowledge base across multiple professional disciplines by providing information and promoting teaching excellence in the field, through its links to the MEd in Autism at University of Strathclyde

 

For more information regarding the MEd in Autism at the University of Strathclyde click here.