Document Type
Paper -- MUSC Only
Publication Date
Spring 4-24-2024
Faculty Mentor
Roxanna Bendixen
Abstract
Objective: Young autistic adults often struggle with soft skills essential for community engagement. Identifying services for soft skills training is challenging, limiting their community involvement. This quality improvement project aims to address the need for soft skills training to enhance social interaction for young autistic adults.
Methods: A needs assessment was conducted with stakeholders from the Adult Day Program at Avondale House in Houston, TX, to gather information on current resources, training, and clients' ability to apply skills in the community. Six autistic adult clients were recommended to participate in the 12-week soft skills training program called ENGAGE. The RTI-E assessment was used in a non-standardized format to establish baseline communication skills, which informed the creation of ENGAGE. The program was implemented with at least one staff member and 5-6 adult clients.
Results: The needs assessment revealed that conversation with peers (64%), conversation with staff (73%), asking for help (73%), responding to feedback (73%), understanding verbal cues (73%), and confirming understanding of instructions (91%) were important. Qualitative data indicated difficulties in developing and applying soft skills in public settings, interacting with others, and teamwork. ENGAGE was implemented and measured through targeted rubrics. The minimum score was 1 (needs improvement), with a maximal score within each criterion of 4 (excellent). Post-ENGAGE implementation, classroom assessments showed improvements in communication (1.67 to 2.33), teamwork (1.5 to 2.33), adaptability (1.83 to 2.25), emotional regulation (1.67 to 2.42), problem-solving (1.5 to 1.92), and initiative (1.83 to 2.25). Community outings also showed improvements in communication (1.67 to 2.5), teamwork (1.71 to 2.5), adaptability (1.81 to 2.5), emotional regulation (2.05 to 2.67), problem-solving (1.48 to 2.17), and initiative (1.58 to 2.17). Staff satisfaction surveys indicated high satisfaction and confidence with ENGAGE, with most responses scored as 4 (agree). Management at Avondale House rated their satisfaction with the program as 5 (strongly agree). A thematic analysis identified overarching themes of engagement and motivation, social interaction and teamwork, challenges and barriers, skill development, and emotional responses.
Conclusion: The needs assessment indicated that young autistic adults benefit from soft skills training that supports the translation of skills from familiar settings to the community. The ENGAGE program, incorporating weekly classroom sessions and tasks encouraging client interaction, resulted in positive feedback from clients and staff. Over 12 weeks, there was a positive trend in all the criteria assessed, leading to overall satisfaction from management and staff for soft skills acquisition in their clients.
Recommended Citation
Pious, Angel, "Soft Skills Training for Young Autistic Adults to Promote Community Participation: Empowering Neurodivergent Growth and Community Engagement (ENGAGE)" (2024). Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Innovations in OT Symposium: Transforming Possibilities into Practice. 30.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/muscotd-ppotd/30