How was PLUTO developed?
PLUTO was developed through continuous collaboration with parents of children with DLD, adults with DLD, Speech and Language Therapists, Child Clinical Psychologists and Academics. Many previous research studies informed the content and set-up of the course (see below).
It is now being re-designed for autistic children with the help of autistic adults, parents of autistic children and a group of Clinical Psychologists who specialise in working with autistic children and families.
Please contact annabel.burnley@hmc.ox.ac.uk to find out more, or register your interest to get involved in the next course!
Multi-stage project
PLUTO is the result of a multi-stage project completed in 2024, meaning there are many studies involved in building the intervention. This process involved: (1) a systematic review of existing psychosocial interventions, (2) qualitative interviews with both parents of children with DLD and adults with DLD, (3) a quantitative study to understand the psychosocial difficulties of children with DLD and (4) collaboration with parents and clinicians in developing and reviewing the course content.
A huge thank you to every one who has been involved!
Our Team
The team working on the PLUTO course is located across the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Oxford. The original project was funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research.
Annabel Burnley, PhD
I am the lead researcher in both developing and piloting the PLUTO course. It will be me you are in contact with throughout the research and PLUTO course.
I completed my PhD at the University of Bath, and am currently a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Oxford.
The focus of my work is on developing new solutions to the psychosocial difficulties common to neurodiverse young people - for whom there is currently little traditional support available.
Previously, I have worked as both a researcher and therapist in the treatment of psychological difficulties at institutions including Yale University, Kings College London and the Helen Bamber Foundation.