Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Support: Stakeholder Perspectives on Optimizing a Transition Program for Autistic Youth...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Autistic adolescents and young adults experience disparities in employment, education, and quality of life.
• The Stepped Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Education Success (STEPS) program was created to support successful adult transitions.
• Previous research indicates the effectiveness of the STEPS program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gather community stakeholder perspectives on the STEPS program.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for STEPS implementation.
• To enhance the scalability and accessibility of the STEPS program through community engagement.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study examining community stakeholder perspectives.
• Focus on barriers and facilitators to program implementation.
• Exploration of strategies for scalability and accessibility.

Main Results:

• Community partners provided valuable insights into program development.
• Identified key factors influencing the successful implementation of STEPS.
• Gathered recommendations for improving program reach for families, clinicians, and educators.

Conclusions:

• Community engagement is crucial for refining and expanding the STEPS program.
• Addressing identified barriers and leveraging facilitators can improve program outcomes.
• Stakeholder input is essential for maximizing the scalability and accessibility of support services for autistic young adults.