Effectiveness of a peer-mediated travel training intervention for adults with autism spectrum disorders

Background: Individuals with autism often experience transportation challenges as primary barriers to essential community services such as health care and employment. Research of travel training interventions has identified evidence -based techniques for improving specific transportationrelated competencies. Peer -mediated interventions are recognized as effective and when provided in natural social contexts. This study evaluated a peer -mediated travel training approach with adults with autism to provide and improve specific skills necessary for independent travel on public transportation. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a systematic peer -mediated travel training to improve public transportation travel independence for autistic adults to increase their access to the community. Method: A randomized control trial (RCT) was used to determine the effectiveness of a peer -mediated travel training program on travel skills, community mobility goals, community participation, and self -efficacy for individuals with ASD. Measures including self -report, observational measures, and GPS data were collected at baseline and two weeks after the intervention. Data on community participation and self -efficacy was collected again 4 months post -intervention. Analysis: Analyses to compare group differences over time were completed. Pearson correlations were used to examine the associations between different constructs at baseline. Results: Seventy-five individuals were enrolled in the study, with 38 individuals in the control group and 37 in the experimental group. The group receiving peer -mediated intervention significantly improved the travel skills necessary for public transportation and community mobility (p < 0.0001), although there were no significant differences between groups in community participation or self -efficacy. Results identified that peermediated travel training was feasible for adults with autism. Conclusion: The results of the current study identify promise for a comprehensive peer -mediated travel training intervention to improve travels skills and community mobility. Future research is needed that examines the implementation and effectiveness of different service delivery models such as peer versus staff -delivered interventions.