Preparing adolescents with autism for leaving school: Pilot of the STEP-A online protocol

Background and objectives: Many adolescents with autism do not transition successfully to post-secondary education or work. Regrettably, a lack of transition planning is a common barrier to successful post-school outcomes for... [ view full abstract ]

Background and objectives: Many adolescents with autism do not transition successfully to post-secondary education or work. Regrettably, a lack of transition planning is a common barrier to successful post-school outcomes for students with autism. There is a need for an autism-specific protocol that assists adolescents to prepare for leaving school.

Methodology: The online Better OutcOmes for Successful Transition - Autism (BOOST-A) was developed and piloted in two studies: (1) STEP-A was trialled with adolescents with autism (n=6), their parents (n=6) and allied health/education professionals working with the adolescents (n=12); and (2) Feedback about BOOST-A was obtained via an online survey of allied health professionals (N=88).

Results: All participants in study 1 rated the BOOST-A as helpful, realistic and relevant. Participants rated the team section low for useability, and suggested improving this with instructive animations. In study 2, 76% of the allied health professionals rated the BOOST-A as appropriate, usable, and feasible; and 84% reported they would use BOOST-A in clinical practice. The BOOST-A was modified based on participants’ feedback to improve feasibility, including the conversion to a web-based program with increased use of graphics and animations.

Conclusions: The BOOST-A provides an online, autism-specific protocol that can be used in assisting adolescents with autism to feel more prepared and less anxious about leaving school. This could potentially assist them to be more successful in the transition from school to work.

Ethics Ethics approval was obtained from Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number HR110/2014), the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, and the Department of Education of Western Australia.... [ view full abstract ]

Ethics
Ethics approval was obtained from Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number HR110/2014), the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, and the Department of Education of Western Australia. Participation was voluntary and written informed consent was obtained from all adult participants, whilst participants under 18 years of age provided assent, and their parents provided informed consent for their participation. Informed written approval was provided by the Principals of the schools. Data were anonymous or de-identified prior to analysis. The study design and procedures adhere to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Funding
This research was supported by funding from an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship from the Australian Federal Government and Curtin University. Financial support was also provided by the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) [project number 3.014RC], established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centres Program. http://www.autismcrc.com.au/