New Program Improves Life Skills for Children with ASD

Published November 2018 | Autism

Every year, about 50,000 young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) leave high school to begin their adult lives by enrolling in college, entering the workforce, or following other paths. But many, even those with ASD who do not have an intellectual disability, struggle during adulthood.

Studies have shown that as many as 56% of adults with ASD who do not have an intellectual disability continue living with their parents after high school. Just 54% obtain employment, and many never learn independent living skills. Now, a pilot study led by first author Amie Duncan, PhD, and senior author Lori Stark, PhD, suggests that a group intervention program can produce positive results.

“Skills that are often deficient in adolescents with ASD include personal hygiene, managing medications, doing laundry, preparing meals, using a checking or savings account, budgeting for purchases, and navigating the community,” Duncan says. “Families also report challenges in the areas of home care, transportation, finance, self-care, relationships, and self-advocacy.”

To fill some of these gaps, experts here developed the Surviving and Thriving in the Real World (STRW) group intervention. The program involved 12 weekly 90-minute sessions with parents and teens aged 14-18 years. The teens learned how to follow a morning hygiene routine, do laundry, follow recipes and cook, and manage and budget money. Parents learned strategies to encourage continued practice at home.

All seven teens in the pilot study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all areas, gaining more than two years of achieved age-related daily living skills in 12 weeks. Equally critical, participants maintained their gains six months after treatment.

Next steps include refining the intervention and conducting a larger-scale study.