Aspirations Through Time: The Year 10 transition planning experience of Queensland students on the autism spectrum

Participants required:

We are seeking two types of participants: 

• Adolescents on the autism spectrum enrolled in Year 10 in 2020 in a mainstream school in Queensland.
• Their parent/carer.

Project description: 

Research in Australia shows that post-school outcomes, such as career or educational outcomes, for students on the autism spectrum are poorer when compared to their peers with or without disabilities. This project aims to investigate the transition planning experiences of students on the autism spectrum during Years 10 to 12 in Queensland. This longitudinal multi-case study will involve school students, their parent/caregiver and a staff member in their school. Student participants will be asked to complete a “mapping activity” during interviews and online questionnaires. Parents/caregivers and school staff will be interviewed. The expected outcome of the study is a better understanding of the transition planning experiences of students and how these experiences influence their career aspirations. This understanding could lead to better transition planning support and better post-school outcomes for students on the spectrum.

More information about this project is available at https://aspirationsthroughtime.school.blog 

Benefits to participants:

There may be no direct benefit for participants, but participants may benefit from the opportunity to share and safely discuss their experiences and views.

One of the activities to be used in the interviews with students, which will visually map students aspirations for the future, may provide some directly benefit to some students. Although not designed as an intervention, the activity may provide an opportunity for participants to learn/understand their own skills, personal qualities, interests, support needs, etc, which they may would not have considered otherwise. 

As this study involves a small sample, results may not be generalised across all young people on the autism spectrum, however, it is expected that it will provide important insights on how to better support the transition planning for students on the spectrum in Queensland. In turn, this may lead to more positive post-school outcomes for students on the autism spectrum.

Contact details

Lara Maia-Pike
E. l.maiapike@hdr.qut.edu.au 
P. 07 3138 3738