Up to 70% of autistic people experience mental health problems – a substantially elevated prevalence compared to general population estimates. Molehill Mountain is an app based on adapted CBT principles that have been developed to help autistic people to better understand and self-manage anxiety. Researcher Bethany Oakley and her team at KCL are studying the feasibility and acceptability of this app-based intervention for anxiety. Co-production with the autistic community is a core part of this research to ensure that the work and its outputs are accessible/ inclusive and respond to community priorities.
Research to fill a gap
Currently, there is little evidence of how the app has been experienced and perceived among its target population. The study will develop the first proof-of-concept for clinical use of Molehill Mountain to inform both the acceptability/optimisation of the app and the design of a full-scale randomised controlled trial. This work also has strong potential for transforming long-term healthcare for autistic people. Providing a digital healthcare option would improve the accessibility and cost-effectiveness of service delivery, especially for those living in underserved areas.
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