Self-Determination for Autistic Students

Self-determination interventions are linked to positive academic and functional attainment results—and, most compellingly, can improve post-secondary outcomes.

But what does it look like for OT professionals to foster self-determination in the school setting?

In this one hour course, we’ll breakdown a scoping review that examines the Independence Curriculum, which is designed to enhance middle-school-aged autistic students’ self-determination. The results are improvement in:

• Self-determination

• Goal attainment in:

  • Executive functioning

  • Self-regulation

After we break down the article, we’re delighted to welcome the article’s lead author, Dora Onwumere. She and I will discuss the practical implications of this research for OTs.

1. You will be able to recognize the importance of self-determination when planning OT interventions for autistic middle school students.

2. You will be able to identify assessments you can use to support self-determination.

• Intro

• Breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • OT for Middle School Autistic Students

  • Intro to OT Potential Podcast

  • Functional Skills: A Persistent Gap for Autistic Students

  • Self-determination and Functional Skills

  • Intent of this Research

  • Research Methods

  • Research Results

  • Discussion and Implications for OT Practice

  • Research Conclusion

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with Dora Onwumere)

  1. Dora Onwumere Intro

  2. How Dora First Found OT

  3. Working as a School-based OT

  4. Transitioning to Research & Middle School Checklist

  5. Development of the Independence Curriculum

  6. The Importance of Self-determination

  7. Incorporating Self-determination Goal in an IEP

  8. Assessments + Middle School Checklist

  9. Independence Curriculum for OT Sessions

  10. The Future of this Work

  11. Advice for Fellow OTs?

  12. Occupational Therapy is…

  13. A Moment in Therapy You’ll Never Forget

  14. Final Thought from Dora

  15. Conclusion

Primary

• The impact of an independence curriculum on self-determination and function in middle school autistic students

Additional

• Strengths-based practice to enhance mental health for autistic people: A scoping review

• Understanding self-determination as a crucial component in promoting the distinct value of occupational therapy in post-secondary transition planning

Self-determination assessments

• AIR Self-Determination Assessment

• ARC Self-Determination Scale

• Armstrong Neurodiversity Strengths Checklist

• Casey Life Skills

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.

Speaker interests: Dora Onwumere is lead author of the primary journal article explored in this course. She has no financial interest in this topic to disclose.