Date of Award

4-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Celeste Jones, PsyD

Second Advisor

Glena Andrews, PhD

Third Advisor

Elizabeth Hamilton, PhD

Abstract

The transition from adolescence to adulthood can be difficult to manage for any individual. In addition to typical adjustments, additional challenges for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have included living at home for longer, isolating themselves socially, and struggling to find the motivation to seek employment and/or education. Research suggests that these factors are influenced by deficits in adaptive functioning, social cognition, and emotional/behavioral functioning. For this reason, various programs have been implemented to support the adjustment of transitional-aged youth with ASD. Among such programs are postsecondary vocational organizations which seek to assist individuals on the Autism Spectrum by providing them technical training, community support, and employment skill development. The current study seeks to measure the impact of one such program on transitional-aged youth with ASD by measuring change in adaptive, social, and emotional/behavioral functioning as a result of participation.

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