Autism Queensland and the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) have announced a new program designed to help young people on the autism spectrum to set life goals.
The Adolescent/Adult Goal Setting Tool (AAGST) consists of a pack of 74 illustrated goal cards divided into nine categories: social relationships, self-care and home living, study and training, employment, health and fitness, community access and participation, communication, finances, and emotional wellbeing.
The cards’ illustrations were created by autistic adult, David Smith (pictured, above right), a member of Autism Queensland’s Studio G creative workshop, who said he designed the cards to be respectful of diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.
“I started on the AAGST at the end of 2016 with my mentor, Jermu Hautsolo (pictured, above left) shortly before I left Studio G as a participant and started mentoring teens on the spectrum at Teen Tech Shed,” Mr Smith said.
“Jermu and I worked well together, playing off each other’s strengths and experiences to create the artwork for the cards.”
Mr Smith is now a Studio G mentor working with teens and young adults on the spectrum.
Lead Researcher and Manager Research and Development at Autism Queensland, Jill Ashburner said people with the lived experience of autism were involved in all aspects of the AAGST development.
“During the first research phase, a list of items was generated in collaboration with members of the Australia and New Zealand Autistic Self Advocacy Network who suggested additions such as disclosure of autistic identity, self-advocacy and networking within the autistic community,” Dr Ashburner said.
“Over the four stages of research, 76 people on the spectrum were involved in either providing feedback on the goal cards or trialling the goal setting tool. Feedback was also gathered from 34 family members and eight professional staff who supported people on the spectrum to use the tool.”
