title: Snapshots of Growing Up: Youth with Autism Explore Adulthood Through Photovoice.
abstract: Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant challenges transitioning to adulthood. We utilized Photovoice to better understand youth's desires for and perspectives on becoming adults.
  
  
  
  Youth with ASD (N = 11) photographed their life experiences, attended group and individual photo-sharing and discussion sessions, and exhibited their work publicly. Thematic analysis was used to identify salient recurring patterns in the data.
  
  
  
  Thematic analysis identified important topics in session transcripts and 184 photographs. Youth with ASD expressed many perspectives about their adult lives, which centered around 3 themes: the meaning of adulthood; desire for independent living; and employment goals.
  
  
  
  Findings identified what youth with ASD want and need to achieve adulthood. This study demonstrated the utility of a new methodology to provide opportunities for youth to share their experiences and define their priorities.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; †School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; ‡Division of General Academic Pediatrics and Center of Outcomes Research, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Nancy C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Cheak-Zamora
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teti
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maurer-Batjer
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halloran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D063545:Personal Narratives as Topic; D010781:Photography; D055815:Young Adult