Autistic Identity and Connection Program 2023: Evaluation report

Objectives The objectives of the Autistic Identity and Connection Program were for participants to: • develop an affirmative sense of identity as an autistic person through the program content and connections with other autistic people • learn about the diversity of the autistic experience in the wider context of the autistic community • enhance practical knowledge to build and reinforce skills fo. [...] Modules and online sessions The purpose of this element was to enable participants to explore information about autism and common autistic adults’ experiences – the goal being to increase knowledge and understanding of autism generally and in relation to self. [...] The toolkit was developed with a clinical psychologist to enable Autistic Identity and Connection Program 2023 2 Evaluation Report participants to explore the components of the Program, create a plan to reduce concerns and prepare, and develop a support plan to enable the Delivery Team to support people in their chosen way, if required. [...] Autistic Identity and Connection Program 2023 9 Evaluation Report 5.1.5 Support practices With regard to the preparation and wellbeing toolkit, the majority of participants completing the survey (from both streams of the Program) read or filled out ‘all’ of the toolkit (𝒙𝒙=𝒙 2.69) and found it to be useful (𝒙𝒙=𝒙 2.64) as shown in table 6. [...] The participants noted that this was not only beneficial to them individually and spoke about using the knowledge and skills gained from the program to benefit others in the autistic community.