Development of a Family-Based Transition Planning Program for Culturally-Diverse Youth on the Autism Spectrum

Families FORWARD: Development of a Family-Based Transition Planning Program for Culturally-Diverse Youth on the Autism Spectrum

The goal of this clinical study is to develop a community-based program to support family members of transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum to help them plan for the future. The main aims of the study are:

1. To develop the Families FORWARD program
2. To conduct proof-of-concept testing of the Families FORWARD program

Participants will complete surveys before and after participating in the program and will participate in exit interviews at the end of the program.

The Families FORWARD (Focusing on Relationships, Well-being, and Responsibility aheaD) program aims to increase family members' active planning for the transition to adulthood in the context of autism. The program is designed to enable flexible delivery for families of youth who are diverse across autism features, co-occurring conditions, service needs, cultural values and preferences, and readiness to engage in planning. The program will be delivered collaboratively with community organizations that support individuals on the autism spectrum and/or their families.

The current project aims to conduct proof-of-concept testing with a culturally-diverse sample of families of transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum. Parents / primary caregivers will participate in 6-7 individual, personalized sessions that incorporate aspects of skill-building (communication, goal-setting, problem-solving, systems navigation), education about services, and motivational interviewing. Youth will be invited to participate in 3 of the sessions along with their parent / primary caregiver. Participants will complete surveys before and after participating in the program and will participate in exit interviews at the end of the program. The investigators will assess indicators of acceptability, feasibility, and improvement on proposed mediators and outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Family Inclusion Criteria

  1. Parents or primary caregivers of transition-aged youth on the autism spectrum:

     1. Have one or more child(ren) on the autism spectrum who is/are ages 14-21 years old
     2. Identify as the parent, legal guardian, and/or primary caregiver of the youth
     3. Speak English fluently
     4. Reside in Massachusetts

  2. Youth on the autism spectrum:

     1. Have an autism diagnosis OR identify as autistic
     2. Age 14-21
     3. Have ability to communicate verbally or in written format in English
     4. Reside in Massachusetts

Exclusion Criteria: none