Strength-Based Peer Mentoring to Empower Independence for Adults with Autism

Authors

Annmarie De La Rosa, University of Texas at El Paso

Files

Description

Adults with autism face disproportionately high rates of unemployment or underemployment, limited engagement in post-secondary education, and restricted opportunities for social participation. This is largely due to the abrupt discontinuation of services after high school—often referred to as the “service cliff” (Roux, 2015). The loss of structured supports can result in a decline in functional independence, increased mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and heightened social isolation (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).

This Capstone project aimed to address the unmet post-secondary needs of young adults with autism by implementing a peer mentoring program grounded in a strength-based occupational therapy approach. The project targeted improvements in independence with activities of daily living (ADLs), reduction in mental health symptoms, and increased social participation—ultimately supporting a higher quality of life. (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).

Publication Date

2025

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Recommended Citation

De La Rosa, Annmarie, "Strength-Based Peer Mentoring to Empower Independence for Adults with Autism" (2025). OT Doctoral Capstones. 2.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/otcapstones/2