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Staff Profile

Emerita Professor Helen McConachie

Emerita Professor

  • Telephone: +44 (0)191 282 1396 / 219 6420
  • Personal Website: /medical-sciences/research/institutes/population-health/
  • Address: Population Health Sciences Institute
    Faculty of Medical Sciences
    Â鶹´«Ã½
    Royal Victoria Infirmary
    (Sir James Spence Institute)
    Â鶹´«Ã½ upon Tyne
    NE1 4LP
Background

Research Interests

I am a member of the Population Health Sciences Institute.  My research has focussed mainly on individuals with disabilities and their families. In several projects we have evaluated approaches to intervention for children, and reviewed or developed appropriate outcome measures. I also aimed to understand what underpins behaviours: for example, how parent-child interaction can facilitate development of communication skills, and how neuropsychological processes link to repetitive behaviours and anxiety in ASD. (See  research website https://research). I have also co-led projects which involve autistic adults, including adaptation of a quality of life outcome measure.

Other Expertise

I have a long-standing research and training link with a network of child development centres in Bangladesh (www.bpfbd.org) and have undertaken a number of consultancies for organisations such as WHO.

Research

Funding

Recent

What interventions, which could be delivered at home by parents, are available to improve eating in young children with neurodisability and are suitable for investigation in pragmatic trials? HTA, March 2017-October 2019.£308,193.  Systematic reviews and consultation. Role: Co-I.

Measuring quality of life in adults on the autism spectrum: making a questionnaire fit for purpose. Research Autism, April 2016-March 2017.   £50,130  Adaptation and validation of quality of life measure. Role: PI.

The Paediatric Autism Communication Trial - Generalised (PACT-G).  EME, February 2016- December 2019         £1,949,200. Multi-site randomised control trial of social-communication intervention for children with autism. Role: Co-I.

A feasibility study of using an immersive virtual reality environment to reduce anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder. NIHR Research for Patient Benefit, Feb 2015 – Nov 2016.  £191,581. Feasibility and pilot RCT of treatment for anxiety in ASD. Role: Co-I.

Randomised controlled trial of improvisational music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: UK arm of the TIME-A study. 2014-2016. NIHR Health Technology Assessment   £617,573. UK arm of international trial of music therapy. Role: Co-I.         

Learning about the lives of adults on the autism spectrum and their relatives.  Autistica. March 2014- Feb 2017.    £199,976 Establishment of a cohort of autistic adults for longitudinal study. Role: Co-I.

DIADS - Diagnostic Instruments for Autism in Deafness Study. MRC June 2013- Dec 2016    £472,678  To develop and validate assessment tools for individuals with hearing impairment. Role: Co-I.

How can health services contribute most effectively to facilitating successful transition of young people with complex health needs from childhood to adulthood? NIHR Programme Grant, Jan 2012- Dec 2016  £1, 999, 697   To monitor transition of young people, including ASD, to adult services. Role: Co-I.

Establishing an ASD Research Register through UK paediatricians.  Autistica 2010-Sept 2017   £370,334   To set up a national ASD Family Research database. Role: Co-PI.

Establishing a registry of children with autistic spectrum disorder in Northeast England. Northern Rock Foundation, 2002-17; six local authorities; Autistica; The Children’s Foundation.  Database for representative recruitment of children to research studies.  Role: PI.  

MeASURe: Measurement in autism spectrum disorder under review. NIHR HTA, June 2012 – February 2014.         £271,946.     To review systematically outcome measures suitable for young children with ASD.  Role: PI.

Pre-school autism intervention and autism development: a longitudinal follow up of the Preschool Autism Communication Trial (PACT)  MRC Feb 2013 -  Sep 2014.    £680,000   To test hypotheses about development over time in a well-described cohort of children. Role: Co-I.
Publications

  • Articles

    • Carruthers S, Pickles A, Charman T, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Slonims V, Howlin P, Collum R, Salomone E, Tobin H, Gammer I, Maxwell J, Aldred C, Parr J, Leadbitter K, Green J. . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines 2024, 65(2), 233-244.
    • Spackman E, Lerh JW, Rodgers J, Hollocks MJ, South M, McConachie H, Ozsivadjian A, Vanhecke A, Libove R, Hardan AY, Leekam SR, Simonoff E, Frazier TW, Alvares GA, Schwartzman JM, Magiati I, Uljarevic M. . Autism Research 2022, 15(9), 1742-1754.
    • Mason D, Rodgers J, Garland D, Wilson C, Parr JR, McConachie H. . AMRC Open Research 2022, 4(3).
    • Green J, Leadbitter K, Ellis C, Taylor L, Moore HL, Carruthers S, James K, Taylor C, Balabanovska M, Langhorne S, Aldred C, Slonims V, Grahame V, Parr J, Humphrey N, Howlin P, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Charman T, Emsley R, Pickles A. . The Lancet Psychiatry 2022, 9(4), 307-320.
    • Finch TL, Mackintosh J, Petrou A, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Garland D, Parr JR. . PLoS ONE 2022, 17(3), e0264932.
    • Taylor H, Pennington L, Craig D, Morris C, McConachie H, Cadwgan J, Sellers D, Andrew M, Smith J, Garland D, McColl E, Buswell C, Thomas J, Colver A, Parr J. . BMJ Paediatrics Open 2021, 5(1), e001095.
    • Colver A, Rapley T, Parr JR, McConachie H, Dovey-Pearce G, Le Couteur AS, McDonagh JE, Bennett C, Maniatopoulos G, Pearce MS, Reape D, Chater N, Gleeson H, Vale L. . Clinical Medicine 2020, 20(1), 74-80.
    • Merrick H, King C, McConachie H, Parr JR, Le Couteur A. . BJPsych Open 2020, 6(4), e58.
    • Lau BY, Leong R, Uljarevic M, Lerh JW, Rodgers J, Hollocks M, South M, McConachie H, Ozsivadjian A, Van Hecke A, Libove R, Hardan A, Leekam S, Simonoff E, Magiati I. . Autism 2020, 24(5), 1111-1126.
    • McConachie H, Wilson C, Mason D, Garland D, Parr J, Rattazzi A, Rodgers J, Skevington S, Uljarevic M, Magiati I. . Autism in Adulthood 2019, 2(1), 4-12.
    • Khan NZ, McConachie H. . Autism 2019, 23(3), 804-804.
    • Mason D, Mackintosh J, McConachie H, Rodgers J, Finch T, Parr J. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2019, 63, 13-22.
    • Colver A, Rapley T, Parr JR, McConachie H, Dovey-Pearce G, Le Couteur A, McDonagh JE, Bennett C, Hislop J, Maniatopoulos G, Mann KD, Merrick H, Pearce MS, Reape D, Vale L. . Programme Grants for Applied Research 2019, 7(4).
    • Khan NZ, Shilpi AB, Sultana R, Sarker S, Razia S, Roy B, Arif A, Ahmed MU, Saha SC, McConachie H. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2019, 45(1), 28-35.
    • Maskey M, McConachie H, Rodgers J, Grahame V, Maxwell J, Tavernor L, Parr JR. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2019, 59, 58-67.
    • Maskey M, Rodgers J, Grahame V, Glod M, Honey E, Kinnear J, Labus M, Milne J, Minos D, McConachie H, Parr JR. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2019, 49(5), 1912-1927.
    • Roestorf A, Bowler DM, Deserno MK, Howlin P, Klinger L, McConachie H, Parr JR, Powell P, Van Heijst BFC, Geurts HM. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2019, 63, 3-12.
    • Petrou AM, Soul A, Koshy B, McConachie H, Parr JR. . Autism Research 2018, 11(5), 776-787.
    • Uljarevic M, Richdale AL, McConachie H, Hedley D, Cai RY, Merrick H, Parr JR, Le Couteur A. . Autism Research 2018, 11(2), 258-269.
    • Leadbitter K, Aldred C, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Kapadia D, Charman T, Macdonald W, Salomone E, Emsley R, Green J, Barrett B, Barron S, Beggs K, Blazey L, Bourne K, Byford S, Cole-Fletcher R, Collino J, Colmer R, Cutress A, Gammer I, Harrop C, Houghton T, Howlin P, Hudry K, Leach S, Maxwell J, Parr J, Pickles A, Randles S, Slonims V, Taylor C, Temple K, Tobin H, Vamvakas G, White L. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2018, 48(4), 1052-1062.
    • Salomone E, Leadbitter K, Aldred C, Barrett B, Byford S, Charman T, Howlin P, Green J, Le Couteur A, McConachie H, Parr JR, Pickles A, Slonims V, Cole-Fletcher R, Gammer I, Maxwell J, Tobin H, Vamvakas G. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2018, 48(4), 1189-1198.
    • Mason D, McConachie H, Garland D, Petrou A, Rodgers J, Parr JR. . Autism Research 2018, 11(8), 1138-1147.
    • McConachie H, Livingstone N, Morris C, Beresford B, Le Couteur A, Gringras P, Garland D, Jones G, Macdonald G, Williams K, Parr JR. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2018, 48(4), 1041-1051.
    • Green J, Aldred C, Charman T, Le Couteur A, Emsley RA, Grahame V, Howlin P, Humphrey N, Leadbitter K, McConachie H, Parr JR, Pickles A, Slonims V, Taylor C, PACT-G Group. . Trials 2018, 19, 514.
    • Colver A, Pearse RS, Watson RM, Fay M, Rapley T, Mann KD, Le Couteur A, Parr J, McConachie HM. . BMC Health Services Research 2018, 18, 337.
    • Petrou AM, Parr JR, McConachie H. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2018, 50, 32-42.
    • Tillmann J, Ashwood K, Absoud M, Bolte S, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Buitelaar JK, Calderoni S, Calvo R, Canal-Bedia R, Canitano R, de Bildt A, Gomot M, Hoekstra PJ, Kaale A, McConachie H, Murphy DG, Narzisi A, Oosterling I, Pejovic-Milovancevic M, Persico AM, Puig O, Roeyers H, Rommelse N, Sacco R, Scandurra V, Stanfield AC, Zander E, Charman T. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2018, 48(7), 2490-2505.
    • McConachie H, Mason D, Parr JR, Garland D, Wilson C, Rodgers J. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2018, 48(5), 1596-1611.
    • Swamy RS, McConachie H, Ng J, Rankin J, Korada M, Sturgiss S, Embleton ND. . Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal & Neonatal Edition 2018, 103(6), F512-F516.
    • Solanke F, Colver A, McConachie H, On behalf of the Transition collaborative group. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2018, 44(3), 355-363.
    • Colver A, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Dovey-Pearce G, Mann KD, McDonagh JE, Pearce MS, Vale L, Merrick H, Parr J. . BMC Medicine 2018, 16, 111.
    • Gray S, Cheetham T, McConachie H, Mann KD, Parr JR, Pearce MS, Colver A. . Diabetic Medicine 2018, 35(9), 1216-1222.
    • Fletcher-Watson S, McConachie H. . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities 2017, 32(1), 71-80.
    • Magiati I, Lerh JW, Uljarevic M, Rodgers J, McConachie H, Ozsivadjian A, South M, Van Hecke A, Hardan A, Libove R, Leekam S, Simonoff E. . Autism Research 2017, 10(10), 1629-1652.
    • Harrop C, Green J, Hudry K, the PACT Consortium. . Autism 2017, 21(1), 37-50.
    • Fletcher-Watson S, Pain H, Hammond S, Humphry A, McConachie H. . International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction 2017, 7, 1–14.
    • Glod M, Cresswell C, Waite P, Jamieson R, McConachie HR, Don South M, Rodgers J. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2017, 47(12), 3834-3846.
    • Muslima H, Khan NZ, Shilpi AB, Begum D, Parveen M, McConachie H, Darmstadt GL. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2016, 42(5), 658-665.
    • Salomone E, Beranova S, Bonnet-Brilhault F, Lauritsen MB, Budisteanu M, Buitelaar J, Canal-Bedia R, Felhosi G, Fletcher-Watson S, Freitag C, Fuentes J, Gallagher L, Primo PG, Gliga F, Gomot M, Green J, Heimann M, Jonsdottir SL, Kaale A, Kawa R, Kylliainen A, Lemcke S, Markovska-Simoska S, Marschik PB, McConachie H, Moilanen I, Muratori F, Narzisi A, Noterdaeme M, Oliveira G, Oosterling I, Pijl M, Pop-Jordanova N, Poustka L, Roeyers H, Roge B, Sinzig J, Vicente A, Warreyn P, Charman T. . Autism 2016, 20(2), 233-249.
    • Nordahl-Hansen A, Fletcher-Watson S, McConachie H, Kaale A. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2016, 29-30, 19-29.
    • Pickles A, LeCouteur AS, Leadbitter K, Salomone E, Cole-Fletcher R, Tobin H, Gammer I, Lowry J, Vamvakas G, Byford S, Aldred C, Slonims V, McConachie H, Howlin P, Parr JR, Charman T, Green J. . The Lancet 2016, 388(10059), 2501-2509.
    • Rankin J, Glinianaia SV, Jardine J, McConachie H, Borrill H, Embleton ND. . Birth Defect Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology 2016, 106(4), 250-256.
    • Brett D, Warnell F, McConachie H, Parr JR. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2016, 46(6), 1974-1984.
    • Rodgers J, Wigham S, McConachie H, Freeston M, Honey E, Parr JR. . Autism Research 2016, 9(11), 1205-1215.
    • Salomone E, Charman T, McConachie H, Warreyn P. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2016, 42(1), 141-145.
    • Fletcher-Watson S, Petrou AM, Dicks P, Graham C, OHare A, Pain H, McConachie H. . Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice 2016, 20(7), 771-782.
    • Fletcher-Watson S, Petrou A, Scott-Barrett J, Dicks P, Graham C, O'Hare A, Pain H, McConachie H. . Autism 2016, 20(7), 771-782.
    • Gray L, Gibbs J, Jolleff N, Williams J, McConachie H, Parr JR. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2015, 41(6), 938-946.
    • Pickles A, Harris V, Green J, Aldred C, McConachie H, Slonims V, LeCouteur A, Hudry K, Charman T. . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2015, 56(2), 162-170.
    • Hanratty J, Livingston N, Robalino S, Terwee CB, Glod M, Oono IP, Rodgers J, MacDonald G, McConachie H. . PLoS ONE 2015, 10(12), e0144649.
    • Salomone E, Charman T, McConachie H, Warreyn P. . European Journal of Pediatrics 2015, 174(10), 1277-1285.
    • de Jonge M, Parr J, Rutter M, Wallace S, Kemner C, Bailey A, van Engeland H, Pickles A. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2015, 45(4), 893-901.
    • Parr J, Gray L, Wigham S, McConachie H, LeCouteur A. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2015, 20, 24-30.
    • Grahame V, Brett D, Dixon L, McConachie H, Lowry J, Rodgers J, Steen N, Le Couteur AS. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2015, 45(10), 3168-3182.
    • Wood CL, Warnell F, Johnson M, Hames A, Pearce MS, McConachie H, Parr JR. . Autism Research 2015, 8(1), 73-81.
    • Warnell F, George B, McConachie H, Johnson M, Hardy R, Parr JR. . BMJ Open 2015, 5(9), e008625.
    • Byford S, Cary M, Barrett B, Aldred CA, Charman T, Howlin P, Hudry K, Leadbitter K, Le Couteur A, McConachie H, Pickles A, Slonims V, Temple KJ, Green J, and the PACT Consortium. . BMC Psychiatry 2015, 15, 316.
    • Merrick H, McConachie H, LeCouteur A, Mann K, Parr JR, Pearce MS, Colver A. . BMC Health Services Research 2015, 15, 435.
    • Khan NZ, Muslima H, El Arifeen S, McConachie H, Shilpi A, Ferdous S, Damrstadt GL. . Journal of Pediatrics 2014, 164(5), 1165-1170.e6.
    • Wigham S, Rodgers J, South M, McConachie H, Freeston M. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2014, 45(4), 943-952.
    • Wigham S, McConachie H. . PLoS ONE 2014, 9(1), e85268.
    • Jardine J, Glinianaia SV, McConachie H, Embleton ND, Rankin J. . Pediatrics 2014, 134(4), e1129-e1148.
    • Harrop C, McConachie H, Emsley R, Leadbitter K, Green J. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2014, 44(5), 1207-1219.
    • Lidstone J, Uljarevic M, Sullivan J, Rodgers J, McConachie H, Freeston M, Le Couteur A, Prior M, Leekam S. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2014, 8(2), 82-92.
    • Maskey M, Lowry J, Rodgers J, McConachie H, Parr J. . PLoS ONE 2014, 9(7), e100374.
    • Winburn E, Charlton J, McConachie H, McColl E, Parr J, O'Hare A, Baird G, Gringras P, Wilson DC, Adamson A, Adams S, Le Couteur A. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2014, 44(4), 747-757.
    • Fletcher-Watson S, McConnell F, Manola E, McConachie H. . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, (3), CD008785.
    • McConachie H, McLaughlin E, Grahame V, Taylor H, Honey E, Tavernor L, Rodgers J, Freeston M, Hemm C, Steen N, Le Couteur A. . Autism 2014, 18(6), 723-732.
    • South M, Chamberlain PD, Wigham S, Newton T, Le Couteur A, McConachie H, Gray L, Freeston M, Parr J, Kirwan CB, Rodgers J. . Neuropsychology 2014, 28(2), 222-228.
    • Byford S, Cary M, Barrett B, Aldred CA, Charman T, Howlin P, Hudry K, Leadbitter K, LeCouteur A, McConachie H, Pickles A, Slonims V, Temple KJ, Green J. . BMS Psychiatry 2014.
    • Khan NZ, Muslima H, Shilpi AB, Begum D, Parveen M, Akter N, Ferdous S, Nahar K, McConachie H, Darmstadt GL. . Pediatrics 2013, 131(2), e486-e494.
    • Khan NZ, Muslima H, Begum A, Begum D, Akhtar S, Parveen M, Ferdous S, McConachie H, Darmstadt GL. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2013, 39(5), 643-650.
    • Parr J, Jolleff N, Gray L, Gibbs J, Williams J, McConachie H. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2013, 39(6), 903-907.
    • Colver AF, Merrick H, Deverill M, Lecouteur A, Parr J, Pearce MS, Rapley T, Vale L, Watson R, McConachie H, on behalf of the Transition Collaborative Group. . BMC Public Health 2013, 13(1), 675.
    • Hudry K, Aldred C, Wigham S, Green J, Leadbitter K, Temple K, Barlow K, McConachie H, the PACT Consortium. . Research in Developmental Disabilities 2013, 34(10), 3400-3410.
    • Pickles A, Parr JR, Rutter ML, De Jonge MV, Wallace S, Le Couteur AS, van Engeland H, Wittemeyer K, McConachie H, Roge B, Mantoulan C, Pedersen L, Isager T, Poustka F, Bolte P, Bolton P, Weisblatt E, Green J, Papanikolauo K, Bailey AJ. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2013, 43(9), 2082-2089.
    • Tavernor L, Barron E, Rodgers J, McConachie H. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2013, 39(4), 592-601.
    • Garralda ME, McConachie H, Le Couteur A, Sriranjan S, Chakrabarti I, Cirak S, Guglieri M, Bushby K, Muntoni F. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2013, 39(3), 449-455.
    • Maskey M, Warnell F, Parr J, LeCouteur A, McConachie H. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2013, 43(4), 851-859.
    • Wigham S, McConachie H, Tandos J, Le Couteur A, Gateshead Millennium Study core team. . Research in Developmental Disabilities 2012, 33(3), 944-950.
    • Rodgers J, Glod M, Connolly B, McConachie H. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2012, 42(11), 2404-2409.
    • Barrett B, Byford S, Sharach J, Hudry K, Leadbitter K, Temple K, Aldred C, Slonims V, Green J, PACT Consortium, (incl. Cutress A), (incl. Leach S), (incl. Le Couteur A), (incl. McConachie H). . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities 2012, 42(5), 797-804.
    • Aldred CR, Green J, Emsley R, McConachie H. . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2012, 42(3), 447-454.
    • Honey E, McConachie H, Turner M, Rodgers J. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2011, 6(1), 355-364.
    • Iao LS, Leekam S, Perner J, McConachie H. . Journal of Cognition and Development 2011, 12(1), 56-79.

  • Editorial

    • McConachie H. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2012, 38(6), 761-762.

  • Reviews

    • McConachie H, Fletcher-Watson S, COST Action 'Enhancing Sci Study. . Child: Care, Health and Development 2015, 41(2), 169-177.
    • Oono IP, Honey EJ, McConachie H. . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, 2013(4), CD009774.
    • Honey E, Rodgers J, McConachie H. . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2012, 6(2), 757-776.