A Scoping Review of Caregiver Worries of Transition-Aged Autistic Youth.

Balser et al. (2026) ran a scoping review. They asked what research is missing about caregiver worries for autistic youth who are leaving school.

The team pulled studies that talk about families with layered identities: race, language, income, and more. They used a conference method to set future research goals.

The review shows a blank space. Almost no work asks Black, Brown, immigrant, or non-English-speaking caregivers what scares them most about transition.

The paper lists top future questions. We need to know how culture shapes worry and what strengths these families already use.

Sasson et al. (2022) scoped 28 studies on Black autism families. They found strengths like church and kin networks are ignored. Sarah et al. want those strengths front and center.

Dyches et al. (2004) first shouted that autism services ignore culture. The new review picks up that baton and runs toward action.

Tint et al. (2016) showed family wellbeing has no clear definition in autism work. Sarah et al. say we must define worry in culturally specific ways before we can measure it.

If you coach transition teams, start by asking caregivers what keeps them up at night. Use an interpreter. Ask about faith, food, and family roles. Write those answers in the plan. Until we do, our “individualized” goals will still fit only the white, English-speaking families we already serve.