Enhancing Motivation to Complete Daily Living Skills Among Transition-aged Autistic Youth

What this Trial Is About

This trial focuses on autistic teens and young adults aged 16 to 25 who often struggle with daily living skills despite knowing how to do them. It aims to find out if motivation-focused treatments can help improve their ability and willingness to complete these tasks consistently. Researchers want to understand which type of motivation—internal, external, or a combination—best supports these individuals in achieving their daily living goals and feeling more empowered. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment programs. One program uses intrinsic motivation strategies through motivational interviewing to connect personal values with skill goals. Another uses extrinsic motivation by helping participants create reward systems for completing tasks. The third combines both approaches. Each program consists of five therapy sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes, with an "Important Person" from the participant's life joining the last 15 minutes of each session to provide support. During the study, both participants and their Important Persons will complete questionnaires before the first session, after sessions 2 through 5, and two weeks after therapy ends to measure motivation, behavior changes, and feelings of empowerment. The study includes a screening and consent phase, an intervention phase with therapy sessions, and a follow-up phase. Total participation should not exceed nine weeks.

Motivation for Daily Living Skills