Using formative research to develop HEARTS: A curriculum-based healthy relationships promoting intervention for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Researchers interviewed 25 autistic young adults to help create a new workshop about healthy relationships. The participants said they needed better information about making lasting friendships, dealing with anxiety about relationships, and knowing when relationships are healthy versus unhealthy. This research will help develop a six-session program to teach these important relationship skills.

This formative research study interviewed 25 autistic emerging adults aged 16-22 to inform the development of HEARTS, a six-session workshop curriculum focused on healthy relationship skills. Participants identified key areas of need including better information about maintaining lasting friendships, managing relationship-related anxiety, and recognizing reciprocal versus unhealthy relationships. The study specifically highlighted gaps in education around respecting boundaries, identifying warning signs of abuse, and discussing sexual preferences. Results support the development of targeted interventions to address these relationship education needs in the autistic community.

Supports development of structured relationship education programs for autistic young adults. Suggests interventions should address friendship maintenance, anxiety management, and relationship quality recognition. Highlights need for education on boundaries, abuse recognition, and sexual communication within autism services.

Small sample size of 25 participants from a specific age range (16-22). Study design details not clearly specified. Findings are based on self-reported needs rather than measured outcomes. No control group or intervention effectiveness data provided.

All people can benefit from education about how to have healthy friendships and dating relationships. But specific interventions on relationship skills-like respecting boundaries, identifying warning signs of abuse, or talking about sexual preferences-are too rare, particularly for autistic individuals. The goal of this study was to collect formative data from autistic emerging adults to help create a new, six-session workshop for autistic young adults to support healthy peer relationships. Twenty-five autistic youth aged 16-22 years old were interviewed.The participants described a need for more and better information about how to support lasting friendships, deal with their anxiety about relationships, and know when friendships or dating relationships were reciprocal and rewarding versus unhealthy.The results reveal a need for a new and effective intervention that supports healthy relationship skills for autistic people.