Supporting Adults on the Spectrum

Here’s the dilemma:

The number of adults diagnosed with autism is rising. Yet, we currently have very few evidence-based interventions to offer this population.

We seem to be falling short of truly supporting autistic adults. We need to do better, not just by addressing their challenges, but also by bolstering their unique strengths.

This 1-hour episode is going to push you to think big-picture about the unmet needs of autistic adults—and, hopefully, it will help you address both the challenges and strengths that can be part of being neurodivergent in a world that is built for neurotypicals. Our goal is to support you as an OT, so you can help autistic adults live a life they love.

The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research exploring the priorities of autistic adults. Then, Meg Proctor, an occupational therapist with expertise in working with patients on the spectrum, will join us to discuss practical takeaways.

1. You will be able to identify unique challenges that autistic adults may face, and should inform your practice.

2. You will be able to recall unique strengths of autistic adults, many of which can be leveraged in your treatments.

3. You will be able to describe how understanding the strengths and challenges of autistic adults should impact your work with children on the spectrum.

• Intro

• Breakdown of research analysis

  • The rising number of adults diagnosed with autism, and lack of related research

  • The problem with how “outcomes” have historically been categorized

  • What was the research question being studied in this paper?

  • Who was included in this study?

  • What were the results?

  • What did the authors conclude/discuss?

  • Takeaways for OT practitioners

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with guest Meg Proctor)

  1. Recommendations on language: “autistic,” “low/high functioning”

  2. Supports currently available to autistic adults specifically noting those in which OTs are involved

  3. What supports are lacking?

  4. What are some opportunities for OTs to better serve this population?

  5. How do we need to change as OTs—and as a society—to better serve this population?

  6. What recommendations would you give to OTs who are seeing autistic adults in their standard practice?

  7. How should understanding the challenges/strengths of autistic adults impact our pediatric practice?

Original Primary Research

• Characterizing the daily life, needs, and priorities of adults with autism spectrum disorder from Interactive Autism Network data

Updated Research

• Autism and Mental Health: The Role of Occupational Therapy

• Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Autistic People Across the Lifespan

• Barriers and needs in mental healthcare of adults with autism spectrum disorder in Germany: a qualitative study in autistic adults, relatives, and healthcare providers

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic. Our speaker's bio links to a free masterclass on her own site; we receive no compensation for that link.

Speaker interests: Meg Proctor is the founder of Learn Play Thrive, LLC, which sells live and recorded autism trainings to therapists, and is an AOTA-approved course provider.