A Preparatory Program for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Identity Exploration and Self-advocacy

Abstract

Abstract-At the stage of emerging adulthood, young adults on the autism spectrum need specific interventions to help them realize their potential. The "Avnei Derech" preparatory program was designed to respond to that need, by means of an individually tailored plan for each participant. In light of the innovative nature of the model, the team engages in continuous review and reformulation of their work, focusing on the goal of promoting the participants' developmental tasks. For this purpose, it is necessary first to understand the general characteristics of emerging adulthood and of autism, and especially, of autistic young adults with high-function autism. Former studies shed light on the characteristics of autism characteristics, but did not examine their impact on the developmental tasks of emerging adulthood. In this research, we focused on the task of exploration during emerging adulthood and the different aspects of delay in this process associated with autism. We conducted three case studies, which demonstrate the general structure of the "Avnei Derech" preparatory program. The main purpose of the study was to define and conceptualize the means of exploration required by people with autism in order to become acquainted with oneself and the environment, as part of identity formation and the development of self-advocacy skills.Index Terms-Autism, identity and self-advocacy, intervention program, young adulthood.