Research Report: Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Autistic Spectrum Conditions

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Authors B. Beresford, N. Moran, P. Sloper, L. Cusworth,
W. Mitchell, G. Spiers, K. Weston, and J. Beecham (2013)
Published by Social Policy Research Unit, University of York

SUMMARY
This research, funded by the Department of Health, focused on young people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) just before and just after they had left school.

It aimed to investigate the services and agencies available to support their move into adulthood; evaluate the experience of young people and their families as they move from children’s to adult services; and explore the costs and outcomes of the transition process. Young people with ASC can have particular issues with the transition to adulthood due to difficulties in planning for and envisaging the future, and difficulties coping with changes to routine or the structure of their day.

The research was based on similar methodology to a previous report on transition services for disabled young people and those with complex needs, to allow comparisons to be made. It included interviews with managers and practitioners in five areas that have developed specific ASC services and multi-agency transition planning processes. Young people with ASC and their families were also surveyed and interviewed, and researchers analysed the costs of providing transition support services in the five areas – although they reported that not all locations provided sufficient financial data.

Researchers found that the number of young people with diagnosed autistic spectrum disorders was increasing, leading to pressure on services. While transition service