Brief Report: Changes in Quality of Life and Social Functioning during Vocational Program -- A Pilot Study of Autistic Adults

Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://link.springer.com/

Y

8

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH)

UL1TR001105

Quality of Life; Vocational Education; Autism; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Young Adults; Social Development; Emotional Development; Measurement Techniques

10.1007/s10803-020-04821-9

0162-3257

Background: Quality of life (QoL), social-emotional and occupational functioning are often diminished in young autistic adults. Measuring these constructs as vocational training outcomes may inform future programming and relevancy of measures. Methods: This pilot study analyzed changes in social-emotional functioning and QoL during the involvement at a vocational program for autistic adults using the WHOQOL-BREF, a modified version of the Birchwood-Social Functioning Scale (SFS-m) and a piloted measure. Participants completed these self-reported questionnaires upon admission and at 3 months. Results: Significant change was found on the SFS-m and two WHOQOL-BREF domains: psychological and environmental. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that autistic adults, similar in characterization, can self-report using these QoL and social measures; further, these measures are sensitive to certain changes over time in such group programs.

As Provided

2021

EJ1310581