ERIC Number: EJ1324037
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jan
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Using Formative Research to Develop HEARTS: A Curriculum-Based Healthy Relationships Promoting Intervention for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v26 n1 p160-168 Jan 2022
Curricula that teach relationship skills to autistic individuals are needed. The purpose of this formative research study was to describe the views of autistic youth about healthy and unhealthy friendships and dating relationships, in order to uncover what types of skills they felt would be useful to learn in a workshop-style intervention in order to have healthier peer relationships. The research was shaped by input from a five-person Advisory Board comprising autistic people. Twenty-five autistic individuals aged 16-22 years old were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using an inductive content-based analysis approach. Interview participants described finding it challenging to remain motivated to make and maintain friendships, and that they would benefit from education about overcoming anxiety rooted in bad prior experiences that stop them from making new friends, learning when it was safe to take emotional risks, how they could cultivate reciprocity in relationships, and how to identify, communicate, and respect sexual and emotional boundaries. They also voiced a preference for mixed-gender interventions team taught by one neurotypical and one autistic facilitator. The experiences, opinions and preferences of the 25 autistic youth who were interviewed will inform the content of the forthcoming Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum relationship skills intervention.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Interpersonal Competence, Skill Development, Friendship, Dating (Social), Late Adolescents, Young Adults, Barriers, Motivation, Anxiety, Interpersonal Relationship, Intervention, Risk, Classroom Environment, Teamwork
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: K18MH122791