Emily Keating

Occupational, social, and community engagement for young adults with autism are common challenges that reflect a lack of consistent and supportive community resources (Carter & Lunsford, 2005; Mankey, 2011; Tomchek & Koenig, 2016). Urban Autism Solutions (UAS), an emerging organization nestled within Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood, is attempting to bridge this gap through residential, vocational, and social opportunities for individuals with autism aged 18-35. Collaborating with University of Illinois Department of Occupational Therapy, UAS hosts the New Approaches to Break Down Barriers (BDB) initiative in which young adults with autism from urban high schools identify meaningful independent living goals. The Independent Living & Learning program engages students in various groups to meet their goals. Inspired by the evidenced based Self-Determination Learning Model of Instruction, this pilot project includes initiatives to support student choice toward goal-directed activities (Wehmeyer et al., 2011). This project evaluates a pilot independent living curriculum for young adults with autism, facilitated by an interdisciplinary staff. Evaluation and focus group findings have been used to improve future curricula, maximizing students’ success in transitioning to adulthood through facilitating opportunities for self-determination.