title: Expanding Horizons: A Pilot Mentoring Program Linking College/Graduate Students and Teens With ASD.
abstract: A small pilot program of 9 youth 13 to 18 years old with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Asperger's syndrome assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of an individualized mentoring program. Youth met weekly for 6 months with trained young adult mentors at a local boys and girls club. Participants reported improvements in self-esteem, social anxiety, and quality of life. Participants, parents, mentors, and staff reported that the program improved participants' social connectedness. Although the pilot study was small, it provides preliminary data that mentoring for youth with ASD has promise for increasing self-esteem, social skills, and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School/E. K. Shriver Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.affiliation: Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.affiliation: Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kaela
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vronsky
authors.affiliation: Floating Hospital at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattern
authors.affiliation: Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nicastro
authors.affiliation: Floating Hospital at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA eperrin@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
authors.forename: Ellen C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities
keywords: adolescence; autism; mentoring; quality of life; self-esteem; social skills; socialization