A study on the impact of coaching in enhancing the potential of young adults with diagnosis of autism to better manage life transitions

This article explores the effectiveness of psychologically minded coaching, as a developmental intervention to enhance the potential of students with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to manage life transitions. Transition to adulthood is often a challenging time for many young people and this is especially true for this student cohort due to the triad of impairments often characterised by the diagnosis. There is currently limited research into the use of coaching, as a developmental tool in the empowerment of young people with autism in Ireland. This article captures the outcome of a small research study conducted by the author to explore how four individual coaching sessions could enhance self- awareness, self-perception and goal attainment skills amongst this student category, to better manage better transition to college and engagement in college life.