Improving Transition to Adulthood for Students with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial of STEPS

White, Susan W.; Smith, I.; Miyazaki, Yasuo; Conner, Caitlin M.; Elias, Rebecca; Capriola-Hall, Nicole N.

doi:10.1080/15374416.2019.1669157

Cited by 50 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Recent studies demonstrated that web-delivered psychoeducational programs addressed to both ASD youths and their parents have proven effectiveness in boosting skills during transition-age [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. In fact, nowadays, telehealth interventions (teletherapy, telesupport) represent promising models for individuals with ASD, providing easy access to services otherwise not available in extreme circumstances, such as the lockdown has been [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

et al. 2021

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Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families have represented a fragile population on which the extreme circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak may have doubly impaired. Interruption of therapeutical interventions delivered in-person and routine disruption constituted some of the main challenges they had to face. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adaptive functioning, behavioral problems, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD. In a sample of 85 Italian ASD children (mean age 7 years old; 68 males, 17 females), through a comparison with a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, we evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Second Edition), Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised). No significant worsening in the adaptive functioning, problematic, and repetitive behaviors emerged after the compulsory home confinement. Within the schooler children, clinical stability was found in reference to both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects, whereas within preschoolers, a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web-delivered intervention, parental work continuance, and online support during the lockdown.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

et al. 2021

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“…Data were used from 57 adults, 16-25 years of age (M = 19.05, SD = 2.03) who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) which examined the effects of a college transition readiness curriculum for emerging adults with ASD (White et al, 2017(White et al, , 2019. Participants were recruited through advertisements in local schools, autismspecific email listservs, and local mental health clinics.…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sluggish cognitive tempo: An examination of clinical correlates for adults with autism

Brewe

Simmons

Capriola-Hall

et al. 2020

Autism

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Adults with autism spectrum disorder often experience co-occurring mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, as well as impairments in executive function. Sluggish cognitive tempo, a cluster of behaviors including slow processing, daydreaming, and mental fogginess, has been shown to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder. This study was designed to assess sluggish cognitive tempo in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Specifically, we sought to establish a preliminary estimate of clinically significant sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms and to better understand its phenomenology and associations with executive function and psychiatric symptoms in the context of autism spectrum disorder. Young adults with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 57; age 16–25 years; 84.2% male) completed a laboratory-based executive function task, and parents and participants completed measures of the participants’ sluggish cognitive tempo, attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Nearly one-third of the sample exhibited clinically impairing levels of sluggish cognitive tempo. Although sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder symptoms were significantly correlated, findings suggest the constructs are distinct. Results also suggest that increased sluggish cognitive tempo is related to executive function impairment and depression, but not anxiety symptoms. Considerations for assessment and long-term impacts of sluggish cognitive tempo for adults with autism spectrum disorder are discussed. Lay abstract Adults with autism spectrum disorder often experience a range of co-occurring mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, as well as difficulties with executive function. Sluggish cognitive tempo, a cluster of behaviors including slow processing, daydreaming, and mental fogginess, has been shown to be associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, and limited research has suggested that individuals with autism spectrum disorder may experience sluggish cognitive tempo. We examined co-occurring mental health problems and executive function in 57 young adults with autism spectrum disorder, aged 16–25 years to better understand sluggish cognitive tempo in autism spectrum disorder. Parents of the young adults answered questions about their children’s sluggish cognitive tempo, attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and the young adults completed tests of their executive function. Results demonstrated that nearly one-third of the sample exhibited clinically impairing levels of sluggish cognitive tempo. Although sluggish cognitive tempo and attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder symptoms were related, our findings suggest they are not the same constructs. Increased sluggish cognitive tempo is related to more difficulties with executive function and increased depression, but not anxiety symptoms. Results demonstrate that sluggish cognitive tempo may pose heightened difficulties for adults with autism spectrum disorder, making it an important construct to continue studying. Considerations for assessment and long-term impacts of sluggish cognitive tempo for adults with autism spectrum disorder are discussed.

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“…It is critical that autistic young adults have access to proactive evidence‐based effective approaches to improve the likelihood of meaningful community engagement. For example, White et al [2019] developed and evaluated the efficacy of the Stepped Transition in Education Program for Students with ASD to improve self‐determination and self‐regulation for psychosocial readiness for graduating from secondary school and for the demands of early adulthood. In a preliminary randomized trial, results suggested a very high degree of feasibility and acceptability of the program, and greater improvements in transition readiness for high school students and greater college adjustment for post‐high school students, compared to those in a waitlist condition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of Changes in Daily Activity in Transition‐Age Autistic Youth

et al. 2020

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Transitioning into adulthood is fraught with challenges for autistic youth. A greater understanding of the facilitators of community involvement in school and employment during this period is warranted. The current study examines changes in service need and receipt, and the stability of accessing daily structured activities, for autistic young adults over their transition period compared to adolescents and adults that did not enter the transition period. Baseline caregiver survey data were taken from the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance National Autism Needs Assessment Survey in 2014, and caregivers (n = 304) completed the same set of questions in 2017 about sociodemographic factors, clinical need, service receipt and typical weekday activities. Three cohorts were compared: (1) pretransition age youth, (2) transition‐age youth, and (3) young adults who were past transition age. Results suggest that transition‐age youth were found to have a unique set of priority service needs compared to pre transition‐age adolescent and to adult groups, and both transition‐age and adult groups had lower levels of priority service receipt compared to pretransition‐age adolescents. The transition‐age group experienced the greatest loss of structured weekday activity between time points, and were more likely than pretransition‐age adolescents to not have structured weekday activities at Time 2. A recovery of structured daily activity was not observed in young adults. Our results highlight the tumultuous nature of the transition period for autistic youth, which continues into adulthood, and the urgent need for supports during this time. Lay Summary This research highlights that autistic young people who are transitioning to adulthood are at greatest risk of losing structured weekday activities, and that once in adulthood, many continue to struggle to obtain meaningful community engagement. These results can help guide the design of adolescent and young adult transition programs.

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Improving Transition to Adulthood for Students with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial of STEPS

Cited by 50 publications

References 37 publications

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

Sluggish cognitive tempo: An examination of clinical correlates for adults with autism

Predictors of Changes in Daily Activity in Transition‐Age Autistic Youth

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