The role of self-advocacy and self-determination in positive adjustment for autistic adolescents and young adults: a mini-review

A mini-review of associations between self-advocacy, self-determination and outcomes for autistic adolescents and young adults.

Martino, D., Brantley, A. & Scarpa, A. (2025). The role of self-advocacy and self-determination in positive adjustment for autistic adolescents and young adults: a mini-review. Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 4, 1542543.

Type

Journal article

Find it

doi.org/10.3389/frcha.2025.1542543

Checked

Against the abstract, 16 September 2026

Why it is on the list

A mini-review of the literature on self-advocacy and self-determination in autistic adolescents and young adults, framed by the biosocial model of resilience and the neurodiversity movement. Its findings “point to encouraging associations” of self-advocacy and self-determination with educational and employment outcomes, socialisation, relationship development, identity development, self-concept and quality of life. These are associations reported in a short review, not a demonstrated effect of teaching somebody to write an email.

Read beside Davies & Bagnall in week 8: teach the script, and ask why access to support depends on the student knowing how to ask.