{"title":"Social Skills Through an Autistic Lens: A Qualitative Analysis of Young Adults' Insights and Experiences.","authors":"Órla Walsh, Conor Linehan, Christian Ryan","doi":"10.1007/s10803-025-06869-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Navigating social interactions and developing effective communication strategies can pose unique hurdles for autistic people, impacting their overall well-being. This article presents a qualitative study of autistic young adults' understanding of social skills. Social skills programs are also explored. The primary researcher conducted five semi-structured focus groups with 18 participants in total, aged 18-30 (11 men, 7 women). Our analysis adopts a qualitative approach, utilising thematic analyses. Through inductive thematic analysis we identified four key themes: (1) Social divide between neurotypes, (2) Conscious efforts in social interaction, (3) Adverse social experiences, and (4) Balancing authenticity and social adaptation in social skills programs. Participants emphasised the importance of choice and an individualised approach regarding support. While expressing a desire to develop various social skills, many participants embraced their identity and desired to improve self-advocacy. There is a need for tailored and individualised approaches in social skills programs, acknowledging the diverse experiences of autistic people. Additionally, choice and autonomy are important, aligning with the desire for self-advocacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15148,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06869-x","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Navigating social interactions and developing effective communication strategies can pose unique hurdles for autistic people, impacting their overall well-being. This article presents a qualitative study of autistic young adults' understanding of social skills. Social skills programs are also explored. The primary researcher conducted five semi-structured focus groups with 18 participants in total, aged 18-30 (11 men, 7 women). Our analysis adopts a qualitative approach, utilising thematic analyses. Through inductive thematic analysis we identified four key themes: (1) Social divide between neurotypes, (2) Conscious efforts in social interaction, (3) Adverse social experiences, and (4) Balancing authenticity and social adaptation in social skills programs. Participants emphasised the importance of choice and an individualised approach regarding support. While expressing a desire to develop various social skills, many participants embraced their identity and desired to improve self-advocacy. There is a need for tailored and individualised approaches in social skills programs, acknowledging the diverse experiences of autistic people. Additionally, choice and autonomy are important, aligning with the desire for self-advocacy.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders seeks to advance theoretical and applied research as well as examine and evaluate clinical diagnoses and treatments for autism and related disabilities. JADD encourages research submissions on the causes of ASDs and related disorders, including genetic, immunological, and environmental factors; diagnosis and assessment tools (e.g., for early detection as well as behavioral and communications characteristics); and prevention and treatment options. Sample topics include: Social responsiveness in young children with autism Advances in diagnosing and reporting autism Omega-3 fatty acids to treat autism symptoms Parental and child adherence to behavioral and medical treatments for autism Increasing independent task completion by students with autism spectrum disorder Does laughter differ in children with autism? Predicting ASD diagnosis and social impairment in younger siblings of children with autism The effects of psychotropic and nonpsychotropic medication with adolescents and adults with ASD Increasing independence for individuals with ASDs Group interventions to promote social skills in school-aged children with ASDs Standard diagnostic measures for ASDs Substance abuse in adults with autism Differentiating between ADHD and autism symptoms Social competence and social skills training and interventions for children with ASDs Therapeutic horseback riding and social functioning in children with autism Authors and readers of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders include sch olars, researchers, professionals, policy makers, and graduate students from a broad range of cross-disciplines, including developmental, clinical child, and school psychology; pediatrics; psychiatry; education; social work and counseling; speech, communication, and physical therapy; medicine and neuroscience; and public health.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
