The co-design and initial evaluation of a peer support program for autistic young adults

Post-diagnostic support can be useful for any autistic person, but it may be especially important for young adults (16 – 25 years) who may be negotiating their autistic identity while also navigating the transition to adulthood. Yet there is a lack of tailored support for this group. In this study, we document the process of co-designing a six-session online peer support program aiming to support young people to navigate their autistic identity in the transition to adulthood. Through documenting discussions within our research team, we provide three key reflections underpinning the success of our co-design process: (1) maximizing success through preparation; (2) facilitating effective, respectful communication, and (3) empowering meaningful collaboration. We also collected qualitative feedback from program attendees, which we analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. This feedback highlighted how attendees appreciated the opportunity for self-discovery and to develop their understanding of autism. They also valued the social connections formed during the program. Finally, they said they benefited from the practical strategies they developed. Overall, these insights contribute to the growing body of knowledge on participatory autism research and highlight good practices when meaningfully involving autistic people in shaping the support programs that directly impact their lives. The peer support program, Understanding You, Discovering You, warrants further, more rigorous evaluation in future studies.