ERIC Number: EJ923905
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jun
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1088-3576
EISSN: N/A
Support Groups for Adults with Asperger Syndrome
Jantz, Kathryn Mederise
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, v26 n2 p119-128 Jun 2011
A total of 35 adults (24-77 years; 24 males and 11 females) with Asperger syndrome (AS) who were in, were waiting to get in, or had been in support groups participated in the study. In general, the adults were highly educated but unemployed or underemployed and living alone with family members as friends. The participants were interviewed, completed the "Autism-Spectrum Quotient" questionnaire and the "UCLA Loneliness Scale", and rated group experiences. The results of qualitative and quantitative analyses can be interpreted to conclude that participants were lonely and perceived support groups as beneficial for providing (a) social skills and interaction, (b) information and advice, and (c) structure. Participants also reported that someone had encouraged them to attend a support group. This information can help practitioners gain insight into the content and structure of support groups for individuals with AS and may aid in the design of future research on services for adults with AS. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Social Support Groups, Asperger Syndrome, Adults, Employment Level, Educational Attainment, Interviews, Questionnaires, Psychological Patterns, Interpersonal Competence, Interaction, Skill Development
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: UCLA Loneliness Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A