Aleman-Tovar Janeth, Burke Meghan M, Monárrez Edwin, Zaldivar Nicole Espinosa
California State University, Chico, USA.
Vanderbilt University, USA.
Autism. 2025 Apr;29(4):1005-1018. doi: 10.1177/13623613241292159. Epub 2024 Nov 12.
Families of autistic youth often support their children's transition from adolescence to adulthood. During this time, families learn to navigate the complex shift from school-based to adult disability services. For Latinx (vs non-Latinx White) families of autistic youth, transition is especially difficult because of the systemic barriers (e.g. language) Latinx families face when accessing services. Unfortunately, few interventions aim to improve the transition among Latinx families of autistic transition-aged youth. This study examines the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of the ASISTIR (Apoyando a nueStros hIjo/as con autiSmo obTener servIcios de tRansición; Supporting our Children with Autism to Obtain Transition Services) program, a six-session program for Latinx families of autistic youth, with respect to increasing: school-based transition planning and adult disability services knowledge, empowerment, and advocacy. Twenty-nine participants were included in this single-group, intervention study. After completing the program, participants demonstrated significantly improved: knowledge of school-based transition planning and adult disability services, advocacy, and empowerment. In addition, participants were highly satisfied with the program, based on the formative and summative evaluations and individual interviews. Implications for research and practice are discussed.Lay abstractTo support Latinx families of autistic youth navigate school-based transition services and adult disability services, we provided a family advocacy program entitled, ASISTIR (Apoyando a nueStros hIjo/as con autiSmo obTener servIcios de tRansición; Supporting our Children with Autism to Obtain Transition Services). The ASISTIR program consisted of six, two-hour sessions and included the following topics: school-based transition planning, person-centered planning, Supplemental Security Income, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver. Twenty-nine Latinx family members completed the cohort-based ASISTIR program. After participating family members demonstrated increased knowledge of school-based transition planning and adult disability services. Participants also demonstrated increased empowerment and advocacy.
自闭症青少年的家庭通常会支持孩子从青少年期过渡到成年期。在此期间，家庭要学会应对从基于学校的服务向成人残疾服务的复杂转变。对于自闭症青少年的拉丁裔家庭（与非拉丁裔白人家庭相比）而言，由于拉丁裔家庭在获取服务时面临系统性障碍（如语言问题），这种过渡尤其困难。不幸的是，很少有干预措施旨在改善处于过渡年龄的自闭症青少年的拉丁裔家庭的过渡情况。本研究考察了ASISTIR（Apoyando a nueStros hIjo/as con autiSmo obTener servIcios de tRansición；支持我们患有自闭症的孩子获得过渡服务）项目在提高基于学校的过渡规划和成人残疾服务知识、赋权及宣传方面的有效性、可行性和可接受性。该项目是为自闭症青少年的拉丁裔家庭设计的一个六节课程。这项单组干预研究纳入了29名参与者。完成该项目后，参与者在基于学校的过渡规划和成人残疾服务知识、宣传及赋权方面均有显著改善。此外，根据形成性和总结性评估以及个人访谈，参与者对该项目高度满意。文中还讨论了该研究对研究和实践的启示。
摘要为了支持自闭症青少年的拉丁裔家庭应对基于学校的过渡服务和成人残疾服务，我们提供了一个名为ASISTIR（Apoyando a nueStros hIjo/as con autiSmo obTener servIcios de tRansición；支持我们患有自闭症的孩子获得过渡服务）的家庭宣传项目。ASISTIR项目包括六个两小时的课程，主题如下：基于学校的过渡规划、以人为本的规划、补充保障收入、职业康复以及基于家庭和社区的医疗补助豁免。29名拉丁裔家庭成员完成了基于群组的ASISTIR项目。参与项目后家庭成员在基于学校的过渡规划和成人残疾服务方面的知识有所增加。参与者在赋权和宣传方面也有所增强。
