Designing and Pilot Testing SkillFlix for Autistic Young Adults , a Communication and Healthy Relationship Skills Video Library

Many autistic young adults (AYAs) want to build healthy relationship skills that apply across romantic relationships, friendships, work, school, and community life. Yet, few have access to neurodiversity-affirming resources that are tailored toward adults and accessible asynchronously. To address this need, we developed and pilot-tested a video library of short, targeted lessons designed to support AYAs in building the skills they need to have successful, healthy relationships. Working with an advisory board of experts in autism and relationships (N = 5) and AYAs (N = 5), we conducted formative focus group research (N = 14 AYAs) to inform the development of the relationship skills video library. We created 20 videos on the skills Apologies and Addressing Hurtful Comments. Next, we pilot-tested the relationship skills video library with AYAs with reciprocal communication skills (N = 17) to determine whether exposure to the video library improved participants self-rated and observed skills regarding apologies and responding to hurtful comments. We found that participants’ self-rated skill levels increased in two of the three evaluated skill areas. In addition, observed skill usage significantly improved between the preintervention and postintervention evaluations. We collected extensive participant feedback on desired additions to the web platform and priority skills and topics for future videos.