Social Work Practice with Transition Age Youth with ASD
Department
Social Work
Location
Bethel University
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
2-26-2025
End Date
2-26-2025
Abstract
When adolescents with ASD approach adulthood they face varied complications due to a lack of adequate support (DaWalt et al., 2018). Recent findings regarding the rise in prevalence of ASD have created a need to provide substantive aid to the ASD population with improved outcomes (Friedman et al.,2013). Complications can result from a breakdown of services, a lack of support and inadequate mental health provision (Smith & Anderson, 2014). Families navigating transition to adulthood with a youth with ASD face a unique set of challenges; this breakdown can be highly stressful for parents and caregivers assisting in supporting roles (Embrett et al., 2016; Friedman et al.,2013; Smith & Anderson, 2014). Barriers to successful transitions were classified as “logistical (ineffective system communication), organizational (negative incentives), and related to clinical governance” (Embrett et al., 2016, p. 259).The literature suggests that social workers are equipped to engage in impactful research that addresses a myriad of concerns surrounding individuals with ASD and their inclusion in society (Bishop-Fitzpatrick, 2017). This qualitative phenomenological study describes the experiences of licensed clinical social workers in Texas and their efficacy in the provision of services to adolescents and transition aged youth with ASD. The data addresses important gaps in social work literature that aims to support the transition to adulthood for adolescents with ASD.
Recommended Citation
Henson, Jennifer C., "Social Work Practice with Transition Age Youth with ASD" (2025). Day of Scholarship. 5.
https://spark.bethel.edu/dayofscholarship/spring2025/feb26/5
Social Work Practice with Transition Age Youth with ASD
Bethel University
When adolescents with ASD approach adulthood they face varied complications due to a lack of adequate support (DaWalt et al., 2018). Recent findings regarding the rise in prevalence of ASD have created a need to provide substantive aid to the ASD population with improved outcomes (Friedman et al.,2013). Complications can result from a breakdown of services, a lack of support and inadequate mental health provision (Smith & Anderson, 2014). Families navigating transition to adulthood with a youth with ASD face a unique set of challenges; this breakdown can be highly stressful for parents and caregivers assisting in supporting roles (Embrett et al., 2016; Friedman et al.,2013; Smith & Anderson, 2014). Barriers to successful transitions were classified as “logistical (ineffective system communication), organizational (negative incentives), and related to clinical governance” (Embrett et al., 2016, p. 259).The literature suggests that social workers are equipped to engage in impactful research that addresses a myriad of concerns surrounding individuals with ASD and their inclusion in society (Bishop-Fitzpatrick, 2017). This qualitative phenomenological study describes the experiences of licensed clinical social workers in Texas and their efficacy in the provision of services to adolescents and transition aged youth with ASD. The data addresses important gaps in social work literature that aims to support the transition to adulthood for adolescents with ASD.
