‘That connection with community… it is just a positive thing’: Mentoring autistic adolescents participating in community coding programmes

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q2 REHABILITATION

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Pub Date : 2025-03-24 DOI:10.1111/1440-1630.70012

Ben Milbourn, Lilian Cairns, Caitlin Cartwright, Siobhan Painter, Caitlin Wedgewood, Sonya Girdler

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Little is known regarding the experiences of mentoring autistic adolescents. The aim of the study was to explore the process of mentoring autistic youth participating in community coding programmes through the perspective of mentors and facilitators.

Method

A descriptive qualitative research design was used involving focus groups or one-on-one interviews with mentors (n = 5) and facilitators (n = 5) volunteering at two community coding programmes in Western Australia and Victoria. Data were thematically analysed through an iterative process.

Consumer and Community Involvement

An autistic individual was involved in piloting the discussion guide for the semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Thematic analysis identified three primary themes, including (1) the mentoring process; (2) Mentor outcomes including sub-themes of development of mentor attributes, professional development and personal wellbeing and satisfaction; and (3) support needs and opportunities.

Conclusion

Practical supports and training within community coding clubs may aid mentors and facilitators in supporting the needs of autistic youth in the community.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

In this project, we explored the views of mentors and facilitators of community coding clubs for autistic adolescents. The community clubs were run on Saturdays for 2–4 hours during school term time. A total of 10 participants (five mentors and five facilitators) agreed to meet with the research team to discuss their experiences. We found that mentors and facilitators needed support to develop their mentoring skills which helped them to grow, made them feel better and gave them a feeling of satisfaction. Our study showed the importance of understanding autism spectrum and supporting mentors and facilitators. We showed how mentoring programmes are an emerging approach that occupational therapists can engage with to better support autistic youth with their strengths and passions.

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“与社区的联系……这是一件积极的事情”：指导自闭症青少年参与社区编程项目

关于指导自闭症青少年的经验，我们所知甚少。摘要本研究旨在探讨自闭青少年参与社区程式设计计划的过程。方法采用描述性定性研究设计，对西澳大利亚州和维多利亚州两个社区编码项目的志愿者导师（n = 5）和辅导员（n = 5）进行焦点小组或一对一访谈。通过迭代过程对数据进行主题分析。一位自闭症患者参与了半结构化访谈的讨论指南。主题分析确定了三个主要主题，包括：(1)师徒过程；(2)导师成果包括导师属性发展、专业发展和个人幸福感与满意度的子主题；(3)支持需求和机会。结论社区编程俱乐部的实践支持和培训可以帮助导师和辅导员支持社区中自闭症青少年的需求。在这个项目中，我们探讨了自闭症青少年社区编码俱乐部的导师和促进者的观点。社区俱乐部在学期期间每周六进行2-4小时的活动。共有10名参与者（5名导师和5名促进者）同意与研究团队会面，讨论他们的经验。我们发现导师和引导者需要支持来发展他们的指导技能，帮助他们成长，让他们感觉更好，给他们一种满足感。我们的研究显示了理解自闭症谱系和支持导师和促进者的重要性。我们展示了指导计划是一种新兴的方法，职业治疗师可以利用他们的优势和激情来更好地支持自闭症青年。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

16.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal is a leading international peer reviewed publication presenting influential, high quality innovative scholarship and research relevant to occupational therapy. The aim of the journal is to be a leader in the dissemination of scholarship and evidence to substantiate, influence and shape policy and occupational therapy practice locally and globally. The journal publishes empirical studies, theoretical papers, and reviews. Preference will be given to manuscripts that have a sound theoretical basis, methodological rigour with sufficient scope and scale to make important new contributions to the occupational therapy body of knowledge. AOTJ does not publish protocols for any study design The journal will consider multidisciplinary or interprofessional studies that include occupational therapy, occupational therapists or occupational therapy students, so long as ‘key points’ highlight the specific implications for occupational therapy, occupational therapists and/or occupational therapy students and/or consumers.