Social Participation During Transition to Adult Life Among Young Adults With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: Experiences From an Exploratory Multiple Case Study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the social participation of young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) during their transition to adult life. A multiple case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 participants (n = 10) composed of three adults with HFASD, their caregivers, and two representatives of community organizations. Four themes emerged: (1) access to services, (2) orientation to integrated life goals, (3) engagement in meaningful activities, and (4) gap in services before reaching independent living. Properly preparing and orienting the families could help them have a more satisfying social participation.

KEYWORDS:

• community life
• high-functioning autism
• independent living
• social participation
• transition to adult life

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Thanks to Professors Mélanie Levasseur, Annie Carrier, and Annick Bourget for their comments and suggestions. Thanks to the Health and Social Services Centre-University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke for its contribution to recruitment. Special thanks to the representatives of community organizations who participated in the interviews. Finally, the authors warmly want to thank the young adults and their caregivers who gave their time and expressed their needs regarding their social participation.