"BottegaMente": An Italian program of internship for people with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Transitioning into adulthood can be challenging for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Work is one of the most enduring and impactful aspects of adult life, as it plays a key role in helping people find meaning. However, research on the effectiveness of pre-employment programs in improving the health and well-being of autistic adolescents and young adults remains limited. This exploratory study aims to assess the impact of a nationwide internship program, "BottegaMente", on the adaptive functioning, emotion regulation, and quality of life of autistic teens, adults, and their families.

Method: The program involved 82 participants, aged 13-36, and required active family involvement to ensure it addressed the needs of autistic individuals from the planning stages through implementation. Quantitative data were collected before (T0) and after the internship (T1).

Results: Our study demonstrated that the internship effectively enhanced adaptive skills, particularly in areas like home life and work skills for autistic adolescents and adults, as reflected by standardized outcomes at T1 compared to T0.

Conclusion: This research is one of the pioneering efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-employment internship programs for autistic adolescents and adults. Although preliminary, these findings could help to shape future studies on employment, an essential factor for overall quality of life and well-being.