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CIDD Sharland Foundation Research and Impact Network

Research support

The SF-DDARIN is supported by two Post-doctoral Researchers and a Research Assistant

Suzi Sapiets

Suzi Sapiets (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with SF-DDARIN based at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. In 2013, Suzi obtained her BSc in Psychology from the University of East Anglia and subsequently gained extensive experience working with neurodivergent people (e.g., autism, learning disabilities, attention differences) in a range of clinical, educational and community settings. This experience sparked Suzi’s passion to conduct research to improve quality of life for neurodivergent people, their families and those that support them. In 2022, Suzi completed her PhD on access to early years support for neurodivergent children (suspected or diagnosed) and their families at the University of Warwick. Suzi’s research interests include improving access to (and the quality of) support for neurodivergent people, mental health and well-being, and positive behavioural support. Suzi incorporates her lived experience in her research, particularly as a late diagnosed autistic.

Selected publications:

● Sapiets, S. J., Totsika, V., & Hastings, R. P. (2020). Factors influencing access to early intervention for families of children with developmental disabilities: A narrative review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(3), 659-711.http://www.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12852

● Sapiets, S. J., Hastings, R. P., Stanford, C. & Totsika, V. (2022). Families’ access to early intervention and supports for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Early Intervention, 45(2), 103-121.https://doi.org/10.1177/10538151221083984

● Sapiets, S. J., Hastings, R. P., & Totsika, V. (2023). Predictors of access to early support in families of children with suspected or diagnosed developmental disabilities in the United Kingdom. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-05996-7

● Gore, N. J., Sapiets, S. J., Denne L. D., Hastings, R. P., Toogood, S., MacDonald, A., Baker, P. Allen, D., Apanasionok, M. M., Austin, D. Bowring, D. L., Bradshaw, J., Corbett, A., Cooper, V., Deveau, R., Hughes, C., Jones, E., Lynch, M., McGill, P., … & Williams, D. (2022). Positive behavioural support in the UK: A state of the nation report. International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support, 12(1), 4-39.http://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/bild/ijpbs/2022/00000012/a00101s1/art00001

● Sapiets, S. J. (2021). Embracing complexity in neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health. Embracing Complexity.http://www.embracingcomplexity.org.uk/news/new-report-on-improving-research-across-conditions

● Sapiets, S. J. (2021). Neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health research: It’s time to #EmbraceComplexity! The Mental Elf, National Elf Service.http://www.nationalelfservice.net/learning-disabilities/autistic-spectrum-disorder/embracecomplexity-neurodevelopmental-conditions-and-mental-health-research/

● Scott, S. J., Denne, L. D., & Hastings, R. P. (2018). Developing a logic model to guide evaluation of impact for learning disability projects: the case of the PBS Academy. Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(3), 125-132.http://www.doi.org/10.1108/TLDR-10-2017-0038

● Scott, S. J., Denne, L. D., & Hastings, R. P. (2018). Assessing the impact of the PBS Academy: An internet survey. International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support, 8(1), 28-37.http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bild/ijpbs/2018/00000008/00000001/art00005

Dr Magda Apanasionok


Dr Magda Apanasionok (she/her) is a Research Fellow with SF-DDARIN based at Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), University of Warwick. Magda completed her PhD focused on teaching numeracy and science to autistic students with learning disabilities in 2021. She has been working with neurodivergent people for over 10 years in a variety of settings. Magda’s interests include education and mental health of neurodivergent people and their families. As an autistic person and a parent carer, Magda is passionate about co-production and including lived experiences of neurodivergent people in research.



Selected publications:

● Apanasionok, M. M., Hastings, R. P., Grindle, C. F., Watkins, R. C., & Paris, A. (2019). Teaching science skills and knowledge to students with developmental disabilities: A systematic review. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 56(7), 847-880.

● Apanasionok, M. M., Neil, J., Watkins, R. C., Grindle, C. F., & Hastings, R. P. (2020). Teaching Science to Students with Developmental Disabilities Using the Early Science Curriculum. Support for Learning, 35(4), 493-505.

● Apanasionok, M. M., Alallawi, B., Grindle, C, F., Hastings, R. P., Watkins, R. C., Nicholls, G., Maguire, L., & Staunton, D. (2021). Teaching Early Numeracy to Students with Autism Using a Teacher Delivery Model. British Journal of Special Education.

● Watkins, R. M., Apanasionok, M. M., & Neil, J. (2020). Teaching science to pupils with SEND: using an evidence-based approach. Primary Science, 165.

● Langdon, P. E., Apanasionok, M. M., Scripps, E., Bunning, K., Filipczuk, M., Gillespie, D., Hastings, R. P., Jahoda, A., McNamara, R., Rai, D., & Gray, K. M. (under review). Behavioural Interventions to Treat Anxiety in Autistic Adults with Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disabilities (BEAMS-ID). NIHR study report

● Gray, K. M., Apanasionok, M. M., Scripps, E., Bunning, K., Burke, C., Filipczuk, M., Hastings, R. P., Liew, A., McNamara, R., Playle, R., Williams, T., & Langdon, P. E. (under review). Specific phobias in children with learning disabilities (SPIRIT): An adaptation and feasibility study. NIHR study report

Emma Scripps

Emma Scripps (she/her) is an admin and research assistant with SF-DDARIN, based at the Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), University of Warwick. Emma is also a PhD student at CIDD, her research is looking at parenting interventions for parents of adolescents with intellectual disabilities. In 2019, Emma obtained a first-class BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Warwick. Since then, Emma has completed an MA in Psychology and Education and an MA in Social Science Research, both with distinctions from the University of Warwick. Emma has also worked with neurodivergent people in a range of educational, community and research settings. Emma’s research interests include improving the quality of life and the support available for neurodivergent people and their families, with a particular focus on parents of neurodivergent individuals.

Selected publications:
  • Tapp, K., Vereenooghe, L., Hewitt, O., Scripps, E., Gray, K. M., & Langdon, P. E. (2023). Psychological therapies for people with intellectual disabilities: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 122, 152372.
  • Scripps, E., Sutherland, D., Langdon, P. E., Hastings, R. P., & Kylie M. Gray, K. M (2023). (under review). Supporting Parents of Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review
  • Langdon, P. E., Apanasionok, M. M., Scripps, E., Bunning, K., Filipczuk, M., Gillespie, D., Hastings, R. P., Jahoda, A., McNamara, R., Rai, D., & Gray, K. M. (under review). Behavioural Interventions to Treat Anxiety in Autistic Adults with Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disabilities (BEAMS-ID). NIHR study report
  • Gray, K. M., Apanasionok, M. M., Scripps, E., Bunning, K., Burke, C., Filipczuk, M., Hastings, R. P., Liew, A., McNamara, R., Playle, R., Williams, T., & Langdon, P. E. (under review). Specific phobias in children with learning disabilities (SPIRIT): An adaptation and feasibility study. NIHR study report