The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) showcased its innovative program, Strengthening Skills, aimed at helping autistic adults improve executive functioning, mental health, and social relationships. Their 16-week study displayed promising outcomes, with participants reporting enhanced daily living skills and reduced anxiety.
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On September 12, 2024, at SARRC’s headquarters in Phoenix, research program manager Melissa Mitchell hosted ‘An Evening of Learning.’ Dr. Nicole Matthews, the Director of Research at SARRC, and Dr. Christopher Smith, SARRC’s Chief Science Officer, introduced the Strengthening Skills Program, designed to build essential life skills using neurodiversity-affirming approaches. The event focused on sharing research advancements in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), highlighting early detection and new ways to improve the quality of life for autistic adults.
Dr. Smith discussed how early detection plays a crucial role in improving long-term outcomes for children with autism. “One of the most important things that we can do is get them identified early and get them into treatment sooner,” Smith said. “This requires paying close attention to behaviors and not waiting until there’s a problem.”
Smith highlighted a new research project on diagnostic tools, including an eye-tracking method. This tool shows children videos rich in social information while tracking their gaze to assess if they focus on social stimuli. This non-invasive method could transform autism diagnostics by offering a more efficient way to detect early signs of autism.
Another key topic was SARRC’s diagnostic services. Although the center no longer accepts insurance for evaluations, Dr. Christian emphasized that costs remain relatively low at $1,700, compared to other providers charging $5,000 or more. He also noted that SARRC offers scholarships and payment plans to make services accessible to families.
Moving towards their Strengthening Skills Program, this study is designed to improve the quality of life for autistic adults, especially in mid-and late adulthood, enrolled 42 autistic adults and 23 program partners. Its core components included executive functioning strategies, mindfulness practices, and social skills, all built around neurodiversity-affirming principles.
Dr. Nicole Matthews explained how the program targeted essential life skills that impact daily functioning for autistic adults. “We taught participants habit-building techniques, helping them break down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable steps,” Matthews said. Tasks included meal planning, budgeting, or sorting through their mail, all of which previously caused stress and anxiety. She noted that the executive functioning potion was particularly impactful, as participants learned to tie new habits to existing routines, such as brushing their teeth or eating breakfast, creating sustainable methods for building new habits.
The program also introduced mindfulness techniques based on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a well-established practice to combat anxiety and depression.
Participants were encouraged to integrate mindfulness into their daily routines and use apps to track their progress. “This gave them a clear sense of achievement, even when they didn’t practice every day,” Matthews said.
The study’s results were encouraging, showing improvements in both social and conceptual functioning. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive with participants rating the program highly. Matthews shared, “They found the combination of executive functioning strategies and mindfulness practices to be especially relevant.”
Looking ahead, SARRC plans to refine the Strengthening Skills Program based on participant feedback. Melissa Mitchell, the research and program manager, found the program’s mission inspiring, stating, “Being able to provide these resources to people who need them is really impactful.” She also highlighted the educational opportunities SARRC offers, which have influenced her academic ambitions. As SARRC continues to refine its approach, the team remains committed to helping autistic adults thrive throughout their lives.
