Survey of Parents/Carers of Young People with ASD Moving to Adulthood

Surveys were posted to 184 families with a young person aged 16+ on the Daslne database.  The surveys focused on the likely needs of young people over the next three years in relation to: support at college (or work), mental health services, personalised support for social/leisure access, accommodation (including short breaks), and so on.  60 questionnaires were completed by parents/carers.

In each of the key areas we asked about, parents identified ways in which many of the young people would need support or training – such as using transport, creating a varied social life, living independently of parents, etc.  Awareness of the extent to which young people would need prompting to get organised, or additional explanation of the reasons behind expectations of their behaviour, or reassurance in new situations, may allow services and support to be planned responsively.  The constant burden on parents to plan ahead, make arrangements, and ensure young people have a varied life should not be underestimated.

 

A more detailed description of the study can be found here. For further information about the survey, contact Professor Helen McConachie, Director of Daslne (helen.mcconachie@ncl.ac.uk).