Adults on the Spectrum Sharing Success: A Model

Background: Currently, online networks, blogs, Facebook pages and organizations connect individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Many of these gifted adults have overcome their developmental challenges to achieve remarkable levels of occupational, social and personal success.  Published autobiographies by such gifted individuals have documented their personal triumphs and ongoing struggles of adult life, as well as the altruistic desire to share their stories with others who might benefit.  Building upon existing methods of personal narrative, we have developed a live workshop model for interactive sharing of stories of success that we call Self-Optimization on The Spectrum.  This report summarizes our experience piloting this model through two workshops involving 57 participants.  

Objectives: Our objective is to enhance autonomy and self-advocacy by supporting adults who identify as on the autism spectrum. The workshops are designed to:

1. Describe avenues of success.

2. Share messages of hope.

3. Encourage dialogue regarding challenges in social, educational, and occupational domains.

4. Provide a forum for community building. 

Methods: A key element of our model is that it is designed collaboratively by and for adults with ASD. Workshop speakers are all residents on the Spectrum who are able to provide peer-mentoring, successful methods navigating challenges and tips on self-advocacy.  They develop formal presentations based on their life experiences, professional skills and interactions with an individual psychotherapist who serves as a coach prior to the workshop. The University of Utah Department of Psychiatry provides organizational support, advertising, registration, space, and other supports (Cambia Health Foundation). Data are collected from satisfaction surveys and a needs assessment. 

Results: Attendees registered in response to media advertising for participants over age 22 years who identified themselves as on the autism spectrum. The first workshop was held on a Friday evening and all day Saturday.  The second workshop was held on a Saturday for 7 hours. The number of attendees, demographics, and satisfaction survey results are depicted in Table 1.

Conclusions: Feedback from the satisfaction surveys was consistently positive, as was anecdotal responses from participants and their family members.