In the Netherlands, the interest in this transition in care in psychiatry is scarcely out of the egg. Little is known as yet about the experiences around this transition of youths with autism, their parents and care providers and about effective interventions that contribute to better (continuity) of care. The eventual purpose of this workgroup is to bundle knowledge from practice and the first results from research into a new care standard (transition indicator for autism spectrum disorders) and to develop a toolkit with usable interventions.
In the past year, a few initial investigations have been executed into care transition within psychiatry. In co-operation with Erasmus MC and UMC Maastricht, an online survey has been conducted among care professionals and, within the Research Centre of Innovations in Care, a minor course project and a graduation project have been carried out on this theme. In addition, a focus group with hands-on experts has been held.
Recently, research was started on how the care transition and course of life around the eighteenth year of slightly mentally disabled people with autism proceeds. A large-scale survey investigating the experiences of young persons with ASS and their parents is also being designed.