The Codesign and Initial Evaluation of a Peer Support Program for Autistic Young Adults

Area of Science:

• Autism research
• Participatory research
• Adolescent and young adult psychology

Background:

• Postdiagnostic support is crucial for autistic individuals, particularly young adults (16-25) navigating identity and adulthood.
• A gap exists in tailored support programs for this demographic.
• Co-designing support ensures relevance and acceptability to autistic individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To codesign a six-session online peer support program for autistic young adults (16-25).
• To support young autistic individuals in navigating their identity during the transition to adulthood.
• To document reflections on the codesign process to guide future participatory research.

Main Methods:

• A six-session online peer support program was codesigned by a team including autistic young adults, clinicians, and researchers.
• Reflections on the codesign process (preparation, communication, collaboration) were documented.
• Qualitative feedback from program attendees was collected and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Key codesign principles for success include thorough preparation, effective communication, and meaningful collaboration.
• Attendees valued self-discovery, enhanced understanding of autism, social connections, and practical strategies.
• The co-design approach yielded a program that resonated with participants' needs.

Conclusions:

• Co-designing support programs with autistic individuals is essential for creating effective and relevant interventions.
• The 'Understanding You, Discovering You' program demonstrates a successful model for participatory autism research.
• Further rigorous evaluation is warranted to confirm the program's efficacy.