"Setting Them Up for Success": Including Youth on the Autism Spectrum in 4-H

Area of Science:

• Youth Development
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Services
• Extension Education

Background:

• Youth on the autism spectrum encounter significant barriers accessing services, particularly in rural areas.
• There is a critical need for programs supporting the transition to adulthood and employment for autistic youth.
• While 4-H is well-positioned, empirical evidence on its inclusive practices for autistic youth is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate barriers to 4-H enrollment for youth on the autism spectrum.
• To identify support gaps for autistic youth participating in 4-H.
• To understand the implementation of inclusive practices within 4-H.

Main Methods:

• Two focus groups were conducted with twenty Extension Educators in Indiana.
• Thematic analysis was applied to focus group transcripts to identify key themes.
• Data collection focused on barriers to enrollment and needs for inclusive practices.

Main Results:

• Identified enrollment barriers include low awareness of 4-H's inclusivity and challenges navigating its culture.
• Key themes for improvement centered on training content and delivery, including resource portfolios, communication, and individualized accommodations.
• Findings indicate a need for enhanced training within existing leadership structures.

Conclusions:

• 4-H offers benefits for autistic youth's life skills and personal development.
• Significant gaps exist in training and resources for effective implementation of inclusive 4-H practices.
• Additional support is crucial to increase participation and improve inclusivity for autistic youth in 4-H programs.