School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
Scand J Occup Ther. 2021 Feb;28(2):91-96. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2020.1798506. Epub 2020 Aug 5.
Youth on the autism spectrum face particular challenges with community mobility and driving, contributing to reduced community participation. Skill development may be uniquely shaped by complex interactions between autistic traits, psychosocial influences and community environments. Research to guide occupational therapy practice is sparse.
This short report explores the complex interplay between psychosocial and environmental influences on community mobility development, to stimulate further occupational therapy research and provide considerations for practice.
Because of the lack of autism specific research, we firstly discuss psychosocial and environmental influences impacting non-autistic youth, then draw on current research to identify challenges for youth on the spectrum. Finally, we propose considerations for practice and research.
Psychosocial considerations for developing community mobility and driving include social communication, safety, navigating unpredictable community environments, emotional regulation and motivation for community participation. Future research should explore how to develop foundational community mobility skills; communication and social skills; and autistic needs for inclusive design. Supporting normative community mobility skills during adolescence may underpin transition to independence in adulthood.
Broadening the focus of community mobility and driving research to understand environmental and psychosocial contexts of community environments, is necessary to provide guidance for occupational therapists supporting youth on the spectrum with independent community participation.
自闭症谱系中的年轻人在社区流动性和驾驶方面面临特殊挑战，这导致他们的社区参与度降低。技能发展可能受到自闭症特征、心理社会影响和社区环境之间复杂相互作用的独特影响。指导职业治疗实践的研究很少。
本短篇报告探讨了心理社会和环境影响对社区流动性发展的复杂相互作用，以激发进一步的职业治疗研究，并为实践提供考虑因素。
由于缺乏自闭症特定的研究，我们首先讨论了影响非自闭症青年的心理社会和环境影响，然后借鉴当前的研究来确定自闭症谱系青年的挑战。最后，我们提出了实践和研究的考虑因素。
发展社区流动性和驾驶的心理社会考虑因素包括社交沟通、安全、在不可预测的社区环境中导航、情绪调节和社区参与的动机。未来的研究应该探索如何发展基本的社区流动性技能；沟通和社交技能；以及自闭症对包容性设计的需求。在青少年时期支持规范的社区流动性技能可能会为成年后独立过渡奠定基础。
扩大社区流动性和驾驶研究的重点，以了解社区环境的环境和心理社会背景，对于为支持自闭症谱系中的年轻人进行独立社区参与的职业治疗师提供指导是必要的。
