Capacity Building for Equity Impact

Capacity Building for Equity Impact promotes health and well-being by building capacity to serve autistic TAYA. Previous research has found that autistic college students report poorer physical and mental health (e.g., more symptoms of depression and anxiety) than other students, even when controlling for other disabilities.65 There is a dearth of research on the experiences of BIPOC autistic college students, who likely experience compounded health challenges during and after college. Research in this area can inform efforts to intervene at a critical life course transition. Similarly, building capacity within Title V programs to serve autistic TAYA during the secondary school years (and earlier) can potentially impact upstream factors of health and wellbeing, enhancing healthy life outcomes downstream. Dissemination of findings will emphasize communication of findings to MCH network staff (Title V study) and educators (Autistic Postsecondary Student study).

• Study 1: Title V Conduct a study of Title V programs to identify points of leverage for building capacity to serve autistic TAYA and their families.
• Study 2: Investigate BIPOC autistic postsecondary student outcomes including developmental capacities (e.g., self-advocacy); interpersonal/social factors (e.g., experiences of stigma); environmental characteristics (e.g., availability of services and supports); and systemic issues that interact with these factors.