Snapshots of Growing Up: Youth with Autism Explore Adulthood Through Photovoice
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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Nancy C Cheak-Zamora1, Michelle Teti, Anna Maurer-Batjer
1*Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; †School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; ‡Division of General Academic Pediatrics and Center of Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
Objective:
Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant challenges transitioning to adulthood. We utilized Photovoice to better understand youth's desires for and perspectives on becoming adults.
Method:
Youth with ASD (N = 11) photographed their life experiences, attended group and individual photo-sharing and discussion sessions, and exhibited their work publicly. Thematic analysis was used to identify salient recurring patterns in the data.
Results:
Thematic analysis identified important topics in session transcripts and 184 photographs. Youth with ASD expressed many perspectives about their adult lives, which centered around 3 themes: the meaning of adulthood; desire for independent living; and employment goals.
Conclusion:
Findings identified what youth with ASD want and need to achieve adulthood. This study demonstrated the utility of a new methodology to provide opportunities for youth to share their experiences and define their priorities.
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