ERIC Number: EJ1476856
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Aug
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
The Development and Utilization of a Diversity Advisory Board in an Intervention to Support Social Skill Development for Autistic Transition-Aged Youth
Ed-Dee G. Williams1; Matthew J. Smith2; Jamie Mitchell2; Ty B. Tucker1,2; Connie Sung3; Kari Sherwood2; Sarah Dababnah4; Sandy Magaña5; Temple Lovelace6; Shanna K. Kattari2; Dale Olsen7; Jeff Elkins7; Laura Humm7; Chris Steacy7; Edwina Riddle2; Caleb Liggett2
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n8 p2016-2029 2025
Recent discourse has identified significant issues surrounding the lack of diversity in autism-related research. However, recent efforts have called for the regular use of diversity advisory boards (DAB) in autism-related research to improve the inclusivity of underrepresented and marginalized groups included in the growing autism scholarship. This article outlines the development and implementation of a DAB to support the design and evaluation of an innovative intervention, "WorkChat: A Virtual Workday." Specifically, "WorkChat" focuses on improving knowledge and practicing conversational skills with virtual customers, coworkers, and supervisors to support workplace interactions for autistic transition-age youth. Here, we share guidelines for developing, utilizing, and maintaining a DAB, as well as recommended practices and future implications for implementing DABs in autism services research while using the "WorkChat" DAB as a case study. The goal is to support the further use of DABs as a means of significantly improving the inclusion of underrepresented and marginalized identities including racial, gender, and sexual minorities, and individuals with disabilities in autism services research.
Descriptors: Advisory Committees, Diversity, Intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Youth, Interpersonal Competence, Skill Development, Transitional Programs, Disabilities, Community Involvement, Job Skills
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R44MH123359
Author Affiliations: 1Boston College School of Social Work, USA; 2University of Michigan, USA; 3Michigan State University, USA; 4University of Maryland School of Social Work, USA; 5The University of Texas at Austin, USA; 6Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, USA; 7SIMmersion LLC, USA