An Intervention to Promote Self-determination in Young Adults With Autism: the TEAm_YOUNG ADULTS Program
Condition: Autism
MeSH terms: Autistic Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The goal of this clinical trial is to test the benefits of a program to develop
      self-determination in young adults with autism. Being self-determined means acting or causing
      things to happen in your life. It involves deciding, acting and believing in one-self.

      The main question this clinical trial aims to answer is: Is the program developed useful to
      improve self-determination of young adults with autism?

      Participants will receive a group intervention to support the development of their
      self-determination-related skills during 20 sessions (1 session/week).

      Researchers will compare the self-determination outcomes between the group that receives the
      intervention and another group that is in a waiting list (and will receive the intervention
      later) to see if the changes are due to the intervention.
    

Detailed description: 
      This clinical trial employed a convergent mixed methods design. Quantitative and qualitative
      data were collected from the same participants and analyzed separately within a similar
      timeframe. The quantitative strand used self-reported and proxy-reported questionnaires to
      evaluate the impact of the TEAm_YOUNG ADULTS program on the self-determination of young
      adults with autism. The quantitative data was collected at baseline and at the completion of
      the program, after 5 months (20 sessions). In the qualitative strand, focus groups were used
      to explore changes in self-determination perceived by the participants that received the
      program and their acceptance of the intervention. The focus groups were conducted when
      finishing the group and after the self-reported questionnaires are answered. Proxy-reports
      were answered after the realization of the focus groups.
    

Intervention name(s): TEAm_YOUNG ADULTS program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The TEAm_YOUNG ADULTS program is an intervention to develop self-determination in young adults with autism. It consists of 20 1.5h weekly sessions. The intervention is conducted by two facilitators with expertise in autism and self-determination promotion. Groups are formed by 4 to 6 participants. The program can be applied online or in person. The first five sessions address specific characteristics and support needs of people with autism. The next ten sessions are focused on the development of self-determination. The last five sessions are focused on working with others and the closure of the group. The individual goals of every participant are considered in the beginning of the group and a weekly follow-up of goals is conducted.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Participants were assigned to the experimental group (which received the intervention) or to the control group (in a waiting list to receive the intervention after the conclusion of the study)
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Self-determination; Intervention; Young adults; Mixed-methods