Effectiveness of a peer-mediated travel training intervention for adults with autism spectrum disorders, (2024). Beth Pfeiffer B., Pomponio Davidson A., Brusilovskiy E., Feeley C., Kinnealey M., Salzer M.

Open access article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214140524000276

Abstract

Background
Individuals with autism often experience transportation challenges as primary
barriers to essential community services such as health care and employment.
Research of travel training interventions has identified evidence-based
techniques for improving specific transportation-related competencies. Peer-
mediated interventions are recognized as effective and when provided in natural
social contexts. This study evaluated a peer-mediated travel training approach
with adults with autism to provide and improve specific skills necessary for
independent travel on public transportation.

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a systematic peer-
mediated travel training to improve public transportation travel independence
for autistic adults to increase their access to the community.

Method
A randomized control trial (RCT) was used to determine the effectiveness of a
peer-mediated travel training program on travel skills, community mobility
goals, community participation, and self-efficacy for individuals with ASD.
Measures including self-report, observational measures, and GPS data were
collected at baseline and two weeks after the intervention. Data on community
participation and self-efficacy was collected again 4 months post-intervention.

Analysis
Analyses to compare group differences over time were completed. Pearson
correlations were used to examine the associations between different constructs
at baseline.

Results
Seventy-five individuals were enrolled in the study, with 38 individuals in the
control group and 37 in the experimental group. The group receiving peer-
mediated intervention significantly improved the travel skills necessary for
public transportation and community mobility (p < 0.0001), although there were
no significant differences between groups in community participation or self-
efficacy. Results identified that peer-mediated travel training was feasible for
adults with autism.
Conclusion
The results of the current study identify promise for a comprehensive peer-
mediated travel training intervention to improve travels skills and community mobility. Future research is needed that examines the implementation and
effectiveness of different service delivery models such as peer versus staff-
delivered interventions.

Citation: Beth Pfeiffer, Amber Pomponio Davidson, Eugene Brusilovskiy, Cecilia
Feeley, Moya Kinnealey, Mark Salzer,
Effectiveness of a peer-mediated travel training intervention for adults with
autism spectrum disorders, Journal of Transport & Health, Volume 35,
2024,101781,
ISSN 2214-1405,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2024.101781.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214140524000276)