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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 10/2021

02-01-2021 | Brief Report

Brief report: Changes in quality of life and social functioning during vocational program – a pilot study of autistic adults

Auteurs: Michelle R. Kandalaft, Kilee M. DeBrabander

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 10/2021

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Abstract

Background

Quality of life (QoL), social-emotional and occupational functioning are often diminished in young autistic adults. Measuring these constructs as vocational training outcomes may inform future programming and relevancy of measures.

Methods

This pilot study analyzed changes in social-emotional functioning and QoL during the involvement at a vocational program for autistic adults using the WHOQOL-BREF, a modified version of the Birchwood- Social Functioning Scale (SFS-m) and a piloted measure. Participants completed these self-reported questionnaires upon admission and at 3 months.

Results

Significant change was found on the SFS-m and two WHOQOL-BREF domains: psychological and environmental.

Conclusions

This pilot study suggests that autistic adults, similar in characterization, can self-report using these QoL and social measures; further, these measures are sensitive to certain changes over time in such group programs.
Voetnoten
1
When the paired t-test analysis was run using the dropped participant’s unfinished totaled score at Time 2, the overall change over time was not found to be significant (t(6) = −1.04, p = 0.34).
 
2
Although nP recruits both cognitively able autistic individuals as well as autistic individuals with intellectual disability, at the time of data collection, only cognitively able individuals were admitted during the time of data collection.
 
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Metagegevens
Titel
Brief report: Changes in quality of life and social functioning during vocational program – a pilot study of autistic adults
Auteurs
Michelle R. Kandalaft
Kilee M. DeBrabander
Publicatiedatum
02-01-2021
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 10/2021
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04821-9

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