Using formative research to develop HEARTS: A curriculum-based healthy relationships promoting intervention for individuals on the autism spectrum.

LAY ABSTRACT: What is already known about the topic? All people can benefit from education about how to have healthy friendships and dating relationships. But specific interventions on relationship skills-like respecting boundaries, identifying warning signs of abuse, or talking about sexual preferences-are too rare, particularly for autistic individuals. The goal of this study was to collect formative data from autistic emerging adults to help create a new, six-session workshop for autistic young adults to support healthy peer relationships. Twenty-five autistic youth aged 16-22 years old were interviewed.What this paper adds? The participants described a need for more and better information about how to support lasting friendships, deal with their anxiety about relationships, and know when friendships or dating relationships were reciprocal and rewarding versus unhealthy.Implications for practice, research, or policy. The results reveal a need for a new and effective intervention that supports healthy relationship skills for autistic people.