Adolescent/Adult Goal Setting Tool (AAGST)

The AAGST contains 75 Goal Cards, Sorting Plates and a Goal Explanation Card, detailed User Manual, Quick-Start Guide and Resource Booklet containing a How to Use Guide with tips, suggested script, and master copies of a Goal Record Sheet, My Priority Goals Form and Planning Sheet. All master copies are designed to be copied.

The 75 goal cards are divided into nine categories including:

• Social relationships
• Self-care and Home Living
• Study and Training
• Employment
• Health and Fitness
• Community Access and Participation
• Communication
• Finances
• Emotional Wellbeing.

The concept for the AAGST, draft manual, and sorting plates were developed based on the Family Goal Setting Tool: Autism Spectrum Disorder Version (Jones, 2013a). It was developed by three researchers based on their combined clinical experience, a review of the literature and other person-centred planning tools. Many others were involved in the design process – the illustrators of the card images, themselves autistic individuals, the Australia and New Zealand Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) committee members, teachers, and allied health professionals who provided feedback on the clarity, relevance and comprehensiveness of the goals. Autistic people and their family members participated in two surveys to evaluate the cards. The final stages of the evaluation involved trials of the AAGST with autistic individuals, interviews with these people and their families, and focus groups conducted with professional staff.