Affiliations: University of New England, Portland, ME, USA | Port Resources, Portland, ME, USA | Department of Occupational Therapy, University of New
England, Portland, ME, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Kathryn Loukas, Clinical Professor,
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of New England, 716 Stevens
Ave., Portland, ME 04103-1920, USA. Tel.: +1 207 221 4103; E-mail: kloukas@une.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Social Cognition and Interaction
Training-Autism (SCIT-A) is a social cognition curriculum for young
adults with autism developed at the University of North Carolina. This study
seeks to further the use of SCIT-A as a tool for family centered practice. OBJECTIVE. This study explored the value of a complementary
parent/caretaker support group on occupational performance of young adult
children participating in the SCIT-A program. An interprofessional SCIT-A program for young
adults with high functioning autism (HFA) was examined for its effect on
transition. PARTICIPANTS: The program included five parents/caregivers
and three young adult males with HFA. Final data collection was performed on
three parents/caregivers and one young adult with HFA. METHODS: A mixed methods approach utilized two focus groups for caregivers and young
adults. Quantitative results were obtained from the young adult. RESULTS: This paper describes themes among caregivers which included:
(1) swapping family stories; (2) experiencing an epiphany; (3) place-making;
and (4) transformation. Results for the young adult are also presented. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests a positive impact and possible
future trajectories of research and programming of social cognition during
transition to adult occupations. The importance of support and participation of
caretakers to facilitate transition is elucidated.
Keywords: Transition, social participation, autism, caretakers
