“He Sees his Autism as a Strength, Not a Deficit Now”: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study Investigating the Impact of Strengths-Based Programs on Autistic Adolescents

Abstract

Recent studies have reported that strengths-based programs, leveraging autistic adolescents’ abilities and interests, could improve their skills and facilitate social engagement. However, little is known about the long-term impact of strengths-based approaches. This study aimed to explore the long-term outcomes of community strengths-based programs designed to support autistic adolescents in developing interests and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and the factors influencing their participation in these programs. A repeated cross-sectional survey study over three years recruited 52 parents in 2018, 52 parents in 2019, and 38 parents in 2020. Results highlighted the positive impact of these programs on autistic adolescents’ health and well-being, social relationships and interactions, self-confidence and self-esteem, sense of belonging, and activities and participation. Five key elements influencing participation included the enthusiasm of the participants, their self-perception, the approach of the programs, the learning environment, and the attitudes of the mentors. This study implies that strengths-based approaches to intervention and support for autistic adolescents in a supported environment are a social model solution that could potentially have positive participant outcomes. Findings from this study could provide a framework underpinning future strengths-based interventions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10803-022-05881-9.

The Brunswik Lens Model: a theoretical framework for advancing understanding of deceptive communication in autism

“…Therefore, certain conclusions are being drawn about how autistic adults engage in deceptive communication without input from autistic adults themselves. Throughout this review we have provided alternative hypotheses to represent the heterogeneity of the autism spectrum and to reflect the current strength-based approach that is favored by many members of the autistic community ( Lee et al, 2024 ). Moving forward, it is important to pursue community involvement to ensure studies investigating deception in autism have high internal validity and can be generalized to the realities of an autistic adult’s everyday life.…”