Institute of Education London

Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE)

"Improving outcomes for people with autism"

The centre was established in 2009 with a mission to improve the research evidence for effective interventions, education and outcomes for children and young people with autism. We aim to produce research findings that will influence health and education policy and practice in the UK and internationally. CRAE is a partnership between the Institute of Education and TreeHouse, the national charity for autism education.

We undertake research to facilitate:

• Removal of barriers to learning and participation in schools and society for people with autism spectrum disorder
• Understanding of how autism education practice can be evaluated more effectively
• Promotion of the translation of research evidence into practice
• Establishment of a nexus for national and international communications regarding good evidence-based practice in autism education

CRAE is headed by Professor Tony Charman, Chair in Autism Education, whose research programme investigates early social cognitive development in children with autism and the clinical application of this work via screening, epidemiological, intervention and 'at risk' studies. Dr Liz Pellicano is a Senior Lecturer at CRAE and her research investigates the role of social cognition, cognitive psychology, face perception, and visual perception in development and learning in children and adults with autism.

CRAE was established through generous donations from:

• The Clothworkers' Foundation
• The Pears Foundation

and with support from the TreeHouse and the IOE.