Infusing a peer to peer support program with adventure therapy for adolescent students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Key findings from the literature on treatment interventions with youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) indicate that the most successful approaches allow frequent opportunities for uncontrived social interactions and are customizable to the needs of individuals and the group. Adventure therapy meets these criteria while providing opportunities for processing here-and-now behaviors in relation to life beyond school. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present one model of a peer-mediated adventure therapy program with high school students with ASD. Methodology/Approach: A case example is presented to highlight one student’s experience in the program over 3 years. The Social Skills Improvement System was administered on an annual basis for this student, and scores were analyzed to assess progress. Findings/Conclusions: Preliminary data for one student over 3 years indicate an overall increase in social skills and overall decrease in problem behaviors. The case example illuminates the rationale for using adventure therapy with youth ASD due to opportunities for uncontrived interaction, a group-driven process, and emphasis on the here-and-now. Implications: While the small evaluation and case example provided preliminary support for utilizing adventure in peer-mediated interventions with youth with ASD, further research is needed for more in-depth program evaluation and understanding

Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Its Impact on Family Functioning

The use of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) as a viable treatment modality for adolescents with behavioral, emotional, and substance use issues has been gaining increased attention. This research builds upon the literature by utilizing a longitudinal study to explore clinical changes, measured using the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (YOQ), and changes in family functioning as measured by the general functioning scale of the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Both clinically and statistically significant positive results with youth, mothers, and fathers at points of intake, discharge, and six months post discharge were found; however, parent and youth reports differed especially at six months post discharge. In addition, regression analyses showed that mothers and youth were more aligned than fathers in their perceptions of changes in family functioning post OBH treatment. This research fills a gap in the behavioral healthcare literature concerning the outcomes of using wilderness therapy and their association with family involvement in maintaining clinical change and improved family functionin

A qualitative gender analysis of women field guides’ experiences in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: A feminist social work perspective

Rationale: Social work has long supported activity-based group work for young people. One such approach includes outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH), also known as wilderness therapy, which often employs nonclinical field staff to lead outdoor activities as part of the overall treatment model. Although men and women both serve as field guides, the culture of OBH has historically been male-dominated, at times obscuring the voices and perspectives of female staff in the field. For this reason, a feminist social work lens was employed in order to engage in a qualitative gender analysis of women field guides’ experiences in OBH. Methods: Focus groups were used in this study to better understand gender as experienced by individuals who identify as women working as field guides in OBH. Findings: Results indicated that women experienced gender at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and program levels in ways that contributed to both empowerment and obstacles to leadership roles and longevity in the field. Identified needs included training for all staff on gender, women in leadership roles, and all women’s spaces. Practice Considerations: Implications for social work practice are discussed, aimed at supporting women’s development and creating work environments most conducive to learning and growth for staff and clients alike

The effectiveness of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare with struggling adolescents: A comparison group study

This study examined the longitudinal impact of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare on youth participants as reported by their parents. This analysis fills a critical gap in past research by including a Treatment as Usual (TAU) comparison group. Findings showed that youth participants who attended an Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare treatment program were, as reported by their parents, were functioning significantly better than the TAU group one year following the program as measured by the Youth Outcome Questionnaire 2.01. Youth who remained in their communities were still at acute levels of psychosocial dysfunction during the same time span. Despite some differences between the means of the treatment and TAU groups across time between gender and groups, a regression analysis revealed age and gender not to be significant predictors of improvement. The only significant predictor was participation in the treatment group