A qualitative study of stress and coping when transitioning to adulthood with autism spectrum disorder

The transition into adulthood can be stressful and challenging for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers. Few studies have examined the perspectives of adolescents with ASD and their caregivers during the transition to adulthood. This qualitative study utilized the met...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of family social work Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 220 - 236
Main Authors First, Jennifer, Cheak-Zamora, Nancy C., Teti, Michelle
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Routledge 26.05.2016
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Adolescence
Adolescents
adulthood
Adults
Autism
Autistic adolescents
Caregiver burden
Caregivers
caregiving
Community services
Coping
Coping strategies
Friendship
Higher education
Life transitions
Occupations
Qualitative research
Self determination
Social workers
Stress
Teachers
Teenagers
transition
Workers
Youth
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Summary:The transition into adulthood can be stressful and challenging for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers. Few studies have examined the perspectives of adolescents with ASD and their caregivers during the transition to adulthood. This qualitative study utilized the method of four focus groups with 19 caregivers and 13 adolescents with ASD. Main themes of stress reported by participants included encountering challenges in accessing services, difficulties with adapting to transition changes and managing multiple responsibilities, and vocation and higher education challenges. Main themes of coping reported by participants included accessing support from community services, receiving support from family, friends, and teachers, and seeking opportunities for self-determination. These findings provide insight into adolescent and caregiver perceptions of the challenges they face when youth transition to adulthood with ASD, along with resources and coping strategies they have found helpful. Implications are provided to assist social workers and practitioners in supporting adolescents with ASD and their caregivers during the transition to adulthood.
ISSN:1052-2158
1540-4072
DOI:10.1080/10522158.2016.1185074