Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have poor outcomes while transitioning to adulthood, such as experiencing low rates of employment, post-secondary education, independent living, and life-long friendships after high school graduation. Factors which may be contributing to these poor transition outcomes include the lack of understanding of their limitation and needs, and the lack of assessments designed specifically for the ASD population which address their abilities to manage the complex, multi-step life tasks of adult living. The Self-Management for Autism Rating Tool (SMART) is a clinical assessment designed for individuals with ASD, aged 16 to 35, to evaluate the self-management skills required to function successfully in adulthood. The tool was influenced by guiding theories, evidence, and assessments such as the Transition-Q and PEDI-CAT, and will be developed across three phases before clinical use. The SMART provides an increased understanding of the capabilities and needs of adolescents with ASD which can guide intervention efforts and better connect individuals with appropriate programs and supports. Addressing the self-management needs of young adults with ASD could lead to improved transition outcomes for this population, allowing them to reach their potential to live independent and productive lives.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/40944 |
| Date | 15 May 2020 |
| Creators | Lin, Jean |
| Contributors | Coster, Wendy |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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