PHILADELPHIA, April 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare providers are a
vital resource for autistic adolescents and their families as they
prepare for the transition to adulthood, which may include learning
to drive, according to a new study from researchers at Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), recently published
in the Journal of Autism and Developmental
Disorders.
Researchers with the Center for Injury Research and Prevention
(CIRP) and the Center for Autism Research (CAR) conducted
in-depth interviews about independence, driving and transportation
with 15 healthcare providers aiding autistic adolescents and their
families. The findings underscored the need to understand how
autistic adolescents and their families view autonomy. The study
also highlighted the crucial role of healthcare providers in
fostering collaborative decision-making around key milestones for
adulthood, along with support strategies to help families assess
driving readiness.
Healthcare providers are eager to improve quality of life for
autistic adolescents by acting as facilitators during this
transitional time. Providers recognized that working towards
independence can offer significant benefits for autistic youths and
their families. However, providers also acknowledged barriers that
made it challenging to provide needed support for this population.
They identified obstacles like limited time during clinical visits,
a lack of comprehensive resources, and insufficient notice from
caregivers to prepare for these discussions. Instead, providers
recommend a more strategic approach aimed at meeting a family's
specific needs.
"Through our interviews with healthcare providers caring for
autistic adolescents and their caregivers, we learned that talking
about driving often sparked a broader conversation about
independence and autonomy that many families hadn't yet
considered," said Rachel K.
Myers, PhD, lead author of the study, associate director and
a scientist at CIRP. "Providers recognize their role in coaching
and preparing young people and their families to navigate
developmental milestones, such as licensure and driving, while also
identifying the need for multidisciplinary teams and resources,
tailored to meet individual needs."
This study builds on the authors' prior research, which found
that individualized training is a critical component for autistic
adolescents in obtaining a driver's license. Licensure can promote
independence and mobility and potentially lead to improved access
to educational, occupational training, social, and community
engagement opportunities.
The authors continue to study pathways to independence for
autistic adolescents and their families, recognizing that for some,
driving may not be an ideal or safe option. In those instances, the
research team is considering alternative ways communities can
support independence and ensure participation in activities
critical to adulthood.
Resources for families to help their autistic youths transition
to adulthood are available at the Center for Autism Research,
including the PASSAGE Program at CHOP, and Teen Driver
Source.
This work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National
Institutes of Health Awards R01HD079398 and R01HD096221 (PI:
Curry).
Myers, R.K., Labows, C., McDonald, C.C. et
al. Preparing to "Live a Life of Possibilities":
Experiences of Healthcare Providers Readying Autistic Adolescents
and Their Families for Independent Driving. J Autism Dev
Disord. Online April 25, 2024.
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06335-0
About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:
A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia was founded in 1855
as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing
commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new
generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering
major research initiatives, the hospital has fostered many
discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric
research program is among the largest in the country. The
institution has a well-established history of providing advanced
pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which
includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and
surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital
alliances throughout Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, as well as the
Middleman Family Pavilion and its dedicated pediatric
emergency department in King of
Prussia. In addition, its unique family-centered care and
public service programs have brought Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia recognition as a
leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more
information, visit https://www.chop.edu.
Contact: Ben Leach
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
(609) 634-7906
Leachb@email.chop.edu
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SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia