Impact of a Transition Planning Intervention on Autistic Adolescents and their Caregivers

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects diagnosed individuals as well as their parents, particularly regarding vocational and transition outcomes. The Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism (CSESA) model is a comprehensive evidence-based approach that includes “Transitioning Together,” an intervention that incorporates familyinvolvement in transition planning for autistic adolescents. This thesis evaluated whether participation in Transitioning Together was correlated with higher post-secondary employment rates for autistic individuals or demonstrated a positive impact on caregiver burden and family empowerment in their parents. It also explored a possible correlation between rates of post-secondary employment, caregiver burden, and family empowerment. The interventions did not impact post-secondary employment, caregiver burden, or family empowerment. Caregiver burden and family empowerment were negatively correlated at three different time intervals across the study. The results were used to highlight future research directions and provide counselors with recommendations for supporting both autistic individuals and their caregivers.