Matching Vocational Aptitude and Employment Choice for Adolescents and Adults with ASD

Abstract Background There is a strong research imperative to investigate effective treatment options for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated social anxiety, difficulties with social functioning and poor mental health have all been identified as core treatment targets for this group. While theoretical models posit a strong bidirectionality between social anxiety and ASD social functioning deficits, few interventions have targeted both domains concurrently. Of the two group interventions previously conducted with adolescents and adults with ASD, significant results have only been observed in either social anxiety or social functioning, and have not generalised to changes in overall mood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit, tolerability and acceptability of a group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention in young adults with ASD. Primary treatment outcomes were social anxiety symptoms and social functioning difficulties; secondary outcomes were self-reported mood and overall distress. Method Ten groups of participants completed an eight-week, modified group CBT intervention targeting both social anxiety and social functioning, that included social skills training, exposure tasks and behavioural experiment components. Seventy-eight adolescents and young adults with ASD, without intellectual impairment, aged between 16 and 38 (M = 22.77; SD = 5.31), were recruited from the community, Headspace centres and the Autism Clinic for Translational Research at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Outcomes (social anxiety, social functioning and mood) were measured pre- and post-intervention via self-report questionnaires (administered either online or through the return of hard-copy booklets), and participants were invited to provide anonymous feedback on the intervention (at the mid-point and end of the intervention). Results Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures in response to the intervention. Specifically, social anxiety symptoms decreased (p < .001), and specific subdomains of social functioning improved post-intervention, particularly in social motivation (p = .032) and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (p = .025). Self-reported symptom improvements also generalised to mood (depression, anxiety and stress; p < .05). All improvements demonstrated small effect sizes. Participant feedback was positive and indicated strong satisfaction with the program. Limitations The absence of a control group and follow-up measures, reliance on self-report instruments as outcome measures and the exclusion of those with intellectual disability represent significant limitations to this study. Conclusions These findings indicate that a group CBT intervention appears to be a beneficial intervention for self-reported social anxiety, social functioning and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with ASD. The stand-alone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, has potential clinical utility and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design.

Download Full-text

Social Interaction Improved by Oxytocin in the Subclass of Autism with Comorbid Intellectual Disabilities

Diseases ◽

10.3390/diseases7010024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 24 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Haruhiro Higashida ◽

Toshio Munesue ◽

Hirotaka Kosaka ◽

Hidenori Yamasue ◽

Shigeru Yokoyama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Interaction ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Intellectual Disabilities ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Pilot Studies ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Epilepsy ◽

Adults With Asd

Approximately half of all autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals suffer from comorbid intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, the prevalence of epilepsy has been estimated to be 46% of patients with low intelligence quotient. It is important to investigate the therapeutic benefits and adverse effects of any recently developed drugs for this proportion of individuals with the so-called Kanner type of ASD. Therefore, we investigated the therapeutic and/or adverse effects of intranasal oxytocin (OT) administration, especially in adolescents and adults with ASD and comorbid intellectual disability and epilepsy, with regard to core symptoms of social deficits. We have already reported three randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). However, we revisit results in our pilot studies from the view of comorbidity. Most of the intellectually disabled participants were found to be feasible participants of the RCT. We observed significantly more events regarded as reciprocal social interaction in the OT group compared with the placebo group. In the trial, no or little differences in adverse events were found between the OT and placebo arms, as found in some other reports. However, seizures were induced in three participants with medical history of epilepsy during or after OT treatment. In conclusion, we stress that behavioral changes in ASD patients with intellectual disabilities could be recognized not by the conventional measurements of ASD symptoms but by detailed evaluation of social interactions arising in daily-life situations.

Download Full-text

Online gaming, loneliness and friendships among adolescents and adults with ASD

Computers in Human Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.chb.2017.10.020 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 79 ◽

pp. 105-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Martin Sundberg

Keyword(s):

Online Gaming ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Adults With Asd

Download Full-text

Aid To Adolescences With Asperger Syndrome In Self-Exploring: Tony Attwood Method

Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy ◽

10.17759/cpp.2017250208 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 134-143

Author(s):

I. Kostin

Keyword(s):

Asperger Syndrome ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Group Work ◽

The State ◽

Social Thinking ◽

Psychological Training ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

The Mind ◽

Adults With Asd ◽

Thinking Tools

The “Exploring Feelings” program designed by Australian psychologist Tony Attwood for group work with Asperger syndrome adolescents is presented. The necessity of psychological support of adolescents and adults with ASD is proved, its main directions are described, the content of the sessions is outlined. Procedures and methods engaged in the program are presented including the emotional toolbox method for managing emotions (physical, social, thinking tools). The participants learn to recognize “poisonous thoughts” (which destabilize the state of the mind) and to design alternative “antidote thoughts”. Presenting the “Exploring Feelings” program is accompanied by the comments about the importance of such kind of psychological training for adolescents and adults with ASD and other categories of children and adolescents.

Download Full-text

Categorization in ASD: The Role of Typicality and Development

Perspectives on Language Learning and Education ◽

10.1044/lle19.2.66 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 66-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Holly Zajac Gastgeb ◽

Mark S. Strauss

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Processing ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Object Category ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Category Labels ◽

And Gender ◽

Typical Object ◽

And Control ◽

Adults With Asd

There is a growing amount of evidence suggesting that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) differ in the way in which they cognitively process information. A critical aspect of cognitive processing that is receiving more attention in studies of ASD is categorization. The studies presented here examined the effect of typicality on categorization of objects and gender in high-functioning children, adolescents, and adults with ASD and matched controls. The ASD and control groups showed improved categorization throughout the lifespan for typical and somewhat typical object category members and typical gender faces. However, individuals with ASD took more time to categorize atypical object category members and were less accurate in categorizing atypical gender faces from age 8–12 years through adulthood. We will discuss the implications of these results for teaching categories and category labels to individuals with ASD.

Download Full-text

Anxiety in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190624828.003.0004 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 91-116

Author(s):

Micah O. Mazurek

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Future Research ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

No Gold Standard ◽

Adults With Asd

Adolescents and adults with ASD are at high risk for clinically significant symptoms of anxiety. Accurate symptom identification and differential diagnosis can be challenging due to the similarity of presentation of many anxiety and ASD symptoms. Although there are no gold-standard tools for assessment of anxiety in individuals with ASD, clinicians are encouraged to use a comprehensive multi-informant, multi-modal assessment approach. Research supports the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment of anxiety in ASD, particularly in high-functioning adolescents. ASD-specific treatment modifications may be helpful for achieving optimal treatment response. There is limited available evidence regarding the effectiveness or potential adverse effects of pharmacological treatments for anxiety in this population. Future research is needed to understand the etiology and mechanisms of anxiety in individuals with ASD and to examine short- and long-term efficacy and effectiveness of a range of treatments.

Download Full-text

Educational situation of adolescents and adults with ASD in Argentina. Preliminary analysis based on an online survey

10.26226/morressier.59d4913bd462b8029238a37c ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Sebastian Cukier

Keyword(s):

Preliminary Analysis ◽

Online Survey ◽

Educational Situation ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Adults With Asd

Download Full-text

A review of emergency department visits made by youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder from the parent perspective

Advances in Autism ◽

10.1108/aia-08-2017-0019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 10-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yona Lunsky ◽

Ami Tint ◽

Jonathan A. Weiss ◽

Anna Palucka ◽

Elspeth Bradley

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Care Providers ◽

Content Type ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Ed Visits ◽

Adults With Asd

Purpose Past research has shown individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) visit hospital emergency departments (ED) at high rates. In order to assist individuals with ASD, their families and health care providers to improve ED care, it is important to understand these encounters in greater detail. The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive summary of the ED experiences of adolescents and adults with ASD, from the perspective of their families. Design/methodology/approach A subset of data from a larger prospective cohort study was used. Specifically, 46 parents of adolescents and adults with ASD provided details concerning 49 ED visits over a 12-month period. Findings Results suggest a range of presentations requiring ED use, and also diverse profiles of those with ASD who visited the ED, in terms of age, gender, and ASD severity. While overall degree of satisfaction with care received in the ED was high, parents provided recommendations to improve the ED experiences for their family members with ASD. Originality/value This is the first study to provide detailed accounts of ED visits from the perspective of parents of adolescents and adults with ASD. Families play an important role in the lives of individuals with ASD across the lifespan and it is important to include their perspective to improve hospital-based care for those with ASD.

Download Full-text