Appropriateness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a Neurodiversity-Based Self-determination Program for Autistic Adults.

The study had no control group, so goal attainment and self-reported improvements cannot be attributed to the program. Only 31 participants were analyzed, and the program was modified across four cohorts, so the findings reflect a small pilot rather than a stable tested intervention. The sample was predominantly male, White, and non-Hispanic, so the results may not apply to other autistic adults. Participants volunteered for a self-determination program, so they may have been more motivated than autistic adults who did not participate. Of 46 enrolled participants, 31 remained after screening and attrition, with schedule conflicts, parent involvement, social anxiety, and incomplete procedures contributing. The paper does not state whether participants applied the psychoeducation and skills from the immersion week to their goal attainment. Parental over-involvement threatened delivery, and the program deliberately excluded parents but could not always prevent it.

The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Do not read the average goal attainment or perceived improvements as evidence that the program works. The study had no control group, included several components at once, and the authors state they cannot decipher whether goal attainment was due to the program.