ERIC Number: EJ1284093
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Parent-Identified Strengths of Autistic Youth
Warren, Nick; Eatchel, Bridges; Kirby, Anne V.; Diener, Marissa; Wright, Cheryl; D'Astous, Valerie
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v25 n1 p79-89 Jan 2021
There is a need for strengths-based intervention approaches for autistic youth during the transition to adulthood. In the current study, we explored parent perspectives about youth strengths during adolescence. We combined data from three studies which included semi-structured interviews about parents' perspectives on preparing for adulthood with autistic youth. Total participants included 39 parents of 41 autistic youth (ages 12-19 years, 88% male). Parents of autistic youth described many strengths of their children in the context of conversations about the transition to adulthood. Thematic analysis revealed three subthemes under the broad theme of parental perceptions of strengths: diverse strengths and skills, strengths counterbalanced by challenges, and strengths with supports. Diverse strengths and skills were further categorized using content analysis and included intelligence, creativity, physical abilities, and self-care skills, which notably include some areas often perceived as weaknesses for autistic people. The findings demonstrate that parents are an important source of information about youth strengths during transition planning processes. Understanding the types of strengths that parents observe in their autistic sons and daughters can help inform the development of strengths-based interventions capable of supporting the transition to adulthood.
Descriptors: Parent Attitudes, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Adolescents, Intelligence, Creativity, Daily Living Skills, Ability
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A