Although the numbers vary, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 1 in 54 people in the US. Autistic youth experience high rates of unmet behavioral health needs.
One of the most important needs is assistance in transitioning from the teen years to adulthood. To meet that need, transitional therapeutic communities for young adults aged 17-24 provide specialized programs for neurodivergent young adults, such as those with ASD.
What Is ASD?
Autism, usually identified in early childhood and continuing into adulthood, affects the way a person perceives and interacts with the world around them. As a spectrum disorder it is different for each individual.
At its core ASD is generally characterized as follows:
- Social communication difficulties: Difficulties understanding how to initiate or maintain social interaction or social relationships with others. These can significantly impact how a person with ASD interacts with others and navigates social situations.
- Restrictive and/or repetitive behaviors: These may vary widely in type and intensity and often serve as a way for people with autism to self-regulate, cope with anxiety or express themselves. Examples include hand-flapping, rocking, resistance to change, difficulty transitioning between activities or environments, black and white thinking.
While some of these behaviors may interfere with daily functioning, others can be channeled positively through therapy and support to help individuals with autism thrive.
Co-occurring mental health disorders are also common for individuals with ASD. As many as 69% of autistic youth experience anxiety ,depression or both. Others experience sensory processing challenges such as difficulty with exposure to loud noises.
In addition, 53 to 68% of autistic youth demonstrate behaviors such as aggression or tantrums [1]. Untreated psychiatric conditions in autistic adults are associated with many negative outcomes including difficulties with adaptive functioning, employment and independent living, and poor quality of life [2].
Transitional living is an intervention associated with improved outcomes when used with individuals with Level 1 ASD. What exactly is Level 1 ASD?
There are three levels of ASD depending on the person’s support needs:
- Level 1 (Requiring support): The person has mild symptoms with some challenges in communication and flexibility. They can often function independently with some support.
- Level 2 (Requiring substantial support): The person has moderate symptoms and more noticeable challenges with social interactions and repetitive behaviors. They required significant support for daily functioning.
- Level 3 (Requiring very substantial support): The person has severe symptoms with significant impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication, limited ability to cope with change, and requiring extensive, often constant, support.
These levels help guide the type and intensity of interventions needed. Therapeutic transitional communities that accommodate young adults with autism, do so for those with Level 1.
Understanding Therapeutic Communities: A Safe Space for Growth
Therapeutic communities, also known as transitional living programs, support growth and independence in young adults with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, trauma and lack of purpose, as well as autism Level 1. They provide structured environments where the emphasis is on personal development, social connection and independence. A number of strategic clinical approaches are used to address the special challenges of those with autism.
The Therapeutic Communities Model
Each community is unique but draws on some or all of the following strategies:
Strengths-based Approach
Rather than focus on deficits, a strengths-based approach leverages the unique abilities of young adults with autism Level 1. Through therapeutic activities, experiential learning and coaching in real-world activities, young adults can develop self-confidence and autonomy by recognizing and using their strengths.
Compassionately Persistent
At Engage, we are compassionately persistent in supporting our young adults. By encouraging them to participate in activities and challenges—yet at their own pace—we help foster the development of resilience and self-sufficiency. This approach also builds confidence and enables young adults to develop the life skills essential for independence. Our goal is to provide the right balance of gentle encouragement and structured support, allowing young adults to grow, take ownership of their journey, and navigate the path toward greater autonomy.
Development of Social Skills
Social communication, connection and interpersonal skills are developed through group activities such as adventure outings, yoga or group therapy. Through experiences and community interaction, training is offered in social skills, emotional regulation, sensory integration and communication. Through these activities young adults can learn and develop the skills to nurture meaningful relationships and overcome isolation.
Mental Health Support for Emotional Regulation
Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness activities assist young adults to manage anxiety, depression or other co-occurring mental health conditions. Learning emotional regulation is central with its support for stress reduction and overall well-being.
Community and Peer Support
Nurturing communities where young adults can connect with their peers and with staff, are one of the key tenets of transitional living programs. By sharing experiences in a safe space, peer support groups create a sense of belonging that young adults may not have had. In addition, participating in community events nurtures connection and social skills.
Life Skills Training
To prepare young adults for independent adult living, life skills training is a key part of daily activities. Programs develop executive functioning skills such as time management and planning as well as daily living skills such as:
- Cooking
- Nutrition
- Cleaning
- Financial literacy
- Job skills
- Vehicle maintenance
- Communication
- Relational success
Therapeutic Alliance
Treatment outcomes have been shown to improve when there is a strong therapeutic connection with therapists, case managers, life coaches and the community. With collaboration and trust, this provides an opportunity to work on communication and attachment issues and revise ineffective working models (the relational operating system).
Planning for the Future
This is especially important for young adults with autism to assist in the transition to adulthood. Personalized education plans are developed together with the young adult taking into account their needs for support. Young adults with autism may require support to find meaningful, fulfilling work, including vocational training programs, job coaching and internships [3].
Benefits of Therapeutic Communities
There are profound benefits to therapeutic communities for young adults with level 1 autism:
- Improved Social Interaction: Young adults gain confidence in developing relationships through structured social skills training.
- Increased independence: Life skills training helps young adults prepare to handle adult responsibilities.
- Emotional Growth: Through therapy and structured social interactions with their peers, young adults can learn to manage stress and develop coping strategies.
- Educational Support: Trained teachers and coaches assist young adults with individualized education plans to advance their education in a supportive environment.
- Vocational Training: To enhance the employability of young adults with level 1 autism, opportunities are provided to acquire job-specific skills, appropriate job-related social skills and practical work experience.
- Sense of Community: Supportive peer networks help minimize isolation and encourage involvement in the community
Supporting Young Adults In Their Journey to Independence
Engage Young Adult Transitions is a transitional living program and therapeutic community that assists young adults on their path to independence. Using attachment theory, we provide a foundation for forming connections, getting involved with the community, managing mental health, and building life skills for long-term success.
Located just steps from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, we offer access to services seven days a week, including academic support, vocational training and career guidance, life skill coaching, mental health therapies, and recreational activities.
Our community offers high levels of therapeutic support that honors autonomy and independence while guiding young adults to a life of freedom, emotional wellness, and success. Get involved with the Engage Transitions community today!
Sources
[A] Drahota A, Sridhar A, Moskowitz LJ, Kerns CM, Soorya L, Wainer A, Cohn E, Lerner MD. Community-based care for autistic youth: community providers’ reported use of treatment practices in the United States. Front Psychiatry. 2023 Sep 18;
[B] Maddox BB, Gaus VL. Community Mental Health Services for Autistic Adults: Good News and Bad News. Autism Adulthood. 2019 Mar 11;1(1):15-19.
[C] Elias, M. 2024. Thriving as an Autistic Young Adult.