Autistic Young Adults, Parents, and Practitioners Expectations of the Transition to Adulthood
Date
2020-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
Parental expectations are important for autistic youth during the transition to adulthood, but less
is known about the expectations of other stakeholder groups. The current study examines
similarities and differences in expectations among autistic youth, parents, and professionals. Data
were collected through six focus groups with 24 participants (7 parents, 11 professionals, and 6
young adults on the autism spectrum). Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes:
Normative Hopes, Living with Uncertainty , Mismatch of Reality and Expectations , Impairments
Shape Expectations, and Services Dictate Expectations. Autistic youth expressed the most
optimism for the transition to adulthood. All stakeholder groups touched on the tension between
matching expectations with abilities; however, only professionals indicated a direct relation
between expectations and abilities. Both parents and professionals highlighted the role of service
availability in shaping expectations.
Description
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, Transition planning, Expectations, Thematic analysis
Citation
Curtiss, S.L., Lee, K.L., Chun, J., Lee, H., Kuo, H.J. & Ami-Narh, D. (2020). Autistic young adults’, parents’, and practitioners’ expectations of the transition to adulthood. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, Online Firs t , https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143420967662