Bloom

OVERVIEW

Bloom is a fully co-produced and co-facilitated, evidence-informed parent program designed to support the wellbeing of Autistic children in practical, everyday ways. Developed in partnership with Autistic- and non-Autistic led organisations, Autistic adults, parents, and researchers, Bloom brings together lived experience and research evidence to explore what wellbeing means for Autistic children and how it can be meaningfully supported at home and in daily life.

The program focuses on strengths, relationships, and quality of life, supporting parents to further their understanding of their child and to create environments where their child feels safe, supported, and understood. The program was funded by an MRFF grant called "Enhancing Quality of Life through an early Intervention co-developed with the autistic community (E-QoL-ITY)” (Grant number 2016147).

Bloom is part of a broader program of research focussed on supporting autistic wellbeing across the perspectives of Autistic young people, Autistic adults, and families led by Prof. Dawn Adams through OTARC.

Status

Completed (Dissemination ongoing)

Bloom is not yet available to share but we are actively submitting grant applications for a larger trial of Bloom.

AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS (OPEN ACCESS)

1. Protocol (the plan for the study, explaining what will be done, what data will be collected and why)
   Adams, D., Ambrose, K., Bowen, R. et al. Protocol for a feasibility and acceptability trial of Bloom, a co-produced and co-facilitated parent group to enhance the quality of life and well-being of young autistic children. Pilot Feasibility Stud 12, 20 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01755-w
2. Paper summarising what Autistic Adults and Parents of Autistic Children say helps Autistic children’s wellbeing
   Simpson, K., Allen, C., Wheeley, E., Pellicano, E., Heyworth, M., den Houting, J., Bowen, R., & Adams, D. (2026). Supporting a ‘good life’ for autistic children: Autistic adults’ and parents’ perspectives. Autism, 30(4), 972-982. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261418945
3. Paper summarising what Autistic young people (aged 10-17 years) told us when we asked them what is important for their wellbeing
   “Support me to take the steps I need, to live the life I want, in ways that work for me”-Perspectives of Autistic young people on what is important for their quality of life. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/emgv4_v1
4. Outcomes of the acceptability and feasibility trial of Bloom (pre-print; not yet undergone peer review)
   Acceptability and Feasibility of Bloom: A Co-Produced, Co-Facilitated Parent Program to Enhance the Quality of Life and Wellbeing of Young Autistic Children: https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/pjeyx_v1

PROJECT  TEAM

Researchers: Dawn Adams, Kathryn Ambrose, Rachael Bowen, Annette Carroll, Martin Downes, Honey Heussler, Melanie Heyworth, Jac den Houting, Jessica Paynter, Elizabeth Pellicano, Janneke Roth, & Kate Simpson

CONTACT DETAILS

Recently the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre held an online Bloom Symposium -  Wellbeing for autistic children

The Symposium explored, "What does wellbeing really look like for Autistic children, and who gets to define it?"

Across a series of talks and conversations, we shared insights from Autistic adults, Autistic children, and parents about what genuinely supports children’s wellbeing. We also share what we’ve learned through Bloom research projects, including outcomes from the Bloom program itself; a fully co-produced and co-facilitated, evidence-informed parent program designed to strengthen children’s wellbeing.

The talks on the day covered

• A deeper understanding of Autistic wellbeing, grounded in lived experience
• Fresh insights to help you see Autistic wellbeing through a new lens
• Neurodiversity-affirming, research-backed strategies to centre each child’s strengths

Video of the  Symposium are  viewable here: