There is a growing literature documenting the social, employment, and mental health difficulties faced by adults with ASD. With the increasing rates of ASD diagnoses, the number of individuals with ASD entering adulthood each year will double over the next 6 years. While we know that employment rates are extremely low, little research has examined what factors are related to positive adult outcome. The talks in this panel describe the results of four separate large-scale studies focused on identifying factors that affect adult outcome. The presentations incorporate a range of methodologies including a long term follow up study from childhood, two prospective studies from adolescence into adulthood, and a high school employment intervention program. Further, the presentations incorporate a variety of adult outcome measures including employment, adaptive behavior, social connectedness, mental health, motor skills, and quality of life. Across these studies, the importance of several childhood and adolescent factors emerges and potential intervention targets are identified. Each presentation will address implications for promoting positive adult outcomes.