Psychological interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders: a review

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Spain ◽  
Laura Harwood ◽  
Lucy O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Adults who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience a range of core and co-morbid characteristics which impede daily functioning and quality of life. Children and adolescents with ASD derive clinically meaningful benefits from psychological interventions, including those designed to reduce socio-communication deficits and mental health conditions. Relatively little is known about the effectiveness of these interventions for the adult ASD population. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – A selective search of English language, peer-reviewed publications was undertaken, in order to summarise the empirical data pertaining to psychological interventions for adults with high-functioning ASD (HF-ASD). Findings – Thus far, social skills interventions, cognitive behaviour therapy techniques, and mindfulness-based approaches have been researched most extensively. Interventions have primarily sought to: reduce the impact of core ASD characteristics; enhance skills; and improve co-morbid mental health symptoms. Methodological and clinical heterogeneity render it difficult to generalise study findings across population samples, but overall, interventions appear to be associated with reductions in co-morbid symptom severity, and improved functioning. Research limitations/implications – Further studies that seek to improve functioning, reduce co-morbid characteristics, and enhance the propensity for attaining and maintaining independence are now needed. Practical implications – Adaptations to standard treatment protocols are likely required in order to enhance engagement and optimise treatment gains. Originality/value – This is one of the first reviews to focus specifically on psychological interventions for adults with HF-ASD.

Enhancing self-esteem in adults with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) group intervention

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Spain ◽  
Sarah H. Blainey
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Adults With Asd

Purpose Psychosocial risk factors and high rates of psychiatric comorbidity render individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) vulnerable to developing low self-esteem (LSE). Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) interventions are effective for enhancing self-esteem in typically developing populations, but the degree to which they are clinically beneficial for individuals with ASD has been little explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A pilot group intervention was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of CBT for LSE in adults with ASD. Adaptations to standard protocols were made, in order to accommodate core ASD characteristics. Findings Four participants attended eight sessions: these comprised formulation of causal and maintaining mechanisms for LSE, cognitive interventions designed to reduce self-criticism and promote a more balanced self-view, and behavioural interventions intended to increase engagement in enjoyable activities, and enhance problem-solving skills and assertiveness. Self-report questionnaires were completed at four time points: baseline, at the first and last sessions, and at one-month follow-up. Data analysis indicated no change in the primary self-esteem outcome measure. Some improvements were noted on secondary outcomes, specifically in social anxiety and depressive symptoms, and general functioning. Research limitations/implications Further studies are needed to determine how to design and deliver CBT interventions and techniques which target LSE in individuals with ASD. Originality/value This is one of the first CBT group interventions designed to address LSE in adults with ASD.

scholarly journals How to Optimise Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Delphi Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie Spain ◽  
Francesca Happé
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Neuropsychological Impairments

AbstractChildren and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can benefit from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), yet the prevailing opinion is that this requires adaptations to accommodate commonly experienced socio-communication and neuropsychological impairments. There are, however, no empirically-derived guidelines about how best to adapt standard practice. In a three round Delphi survey, we asked expert clinicians and clinical-researchers, based in England, about how to optimise the design, delivery and evaluation of CBT for people with ASD. Of 50 people approached, 18 consented to take part in Round 1, nine in Round 2 and eight in Round 3. Using a five-point scale, participants rated the degree to which 221 statements—pertaining to the referral process, assessment, engagement, formulation, goal setting, therapy structure, interventions and techniques, homework, outcome measurement, managing endings and therapist attributes—were integral to CBT. The consensus was that 155 statements represented essential or important components of CBT. Adaptations to the structure and process of therapy were consistently endorsed, and an individualised formulation-derived approach was favoured when deciding upon which interventions and techniques to offer. Further studies are needed to clarify if adapted CBT is associated with improved treatment outcomes and acceptability.

Autism, intellectual disabilities and additional psychosis, and affiliation to groups with violent ideology: short communication

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ann Magritt Solheim Inderberg ◽  
Kristin Horndalsveen ◽  
Arne-Henrik Elvehaug ◽  
Yugbadal Mehmi ◽  
Ingvild Jørstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
Inpatient Care ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Behaviour Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Purpose People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been associated with criminal acts and affiliation with groups and organisations with violent ideology and practice. The purpose of this paper is to present patients in mental health services with both ASD and psychosis, who are affiliated with such groups. Design/methodology/approach Three vignettes are used as examples. Some of the information is combined for the three participants for presentation. They were scored for mental health symptoms and behaviour problems on admission and discharge from inpatient care. Findings The combination of ASD and psychosis aggravates the problems of both conditions, which may elicit a collapse of both cognitive functioning and especially impulse control, and of the ability to judge whether situations are dangerous or offensive or not. Originality/value The present paper may contribute to a better understanding of the combination of ASD, psychosis and affiliation with groups and organisations as described, especially regarding the importance of identifying psychosis.

Comorbid mental health disorders in children and young people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ereny Gobrial
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Young People ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Purpose Children and young people with comorbid intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more likely to exhibit comorbid mental health disorders (MHD) and other significant behaviours (SB) in addition to the core symptoms of ASD. The purpose of this paper is to identify the prevalence of comorbid MHD and behaviours in children and young people with ID and ASD in Egypt. Design/methodology/approach The Reiss scale for children’s dual diagnosis was administered by parents and teachers of 222 Egyptian children and young people with mild/moderate ID and ASD to screen for MHD and SB. The mean age of children and young people was 12.3 years (SD = 3.64), with 75.6 per cent male. Findings The results revealed that 62.2 per cent of children and young people with ID and ASD had high rates of comorbid MHD and behaviour disorders were shown in 64.4 per cent of the participated children and young people. The results identified anger, anxiety and psychosis being the most frequently diagnosed disorders while crying spells and pica were the most SB. No differences were found between the male and female with ID and ASD in the current study. Research limitations/implications Mental health assessment of children and young people with ID and ASD will help to highlight the needs of these vulnerable children and develop the appropriate services. Originality/value The findings highlight the prevalence of MHD in children and young people with ID and ASD in Egypt. This has implications on the assessment of comorbid disorders and services needed for children with ID and ASD in Egypt.

Experiences of prison inmates with autism spectrum disorders and the knowledge and understanding of the spectrum amongst prison staff: a review

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Sarah Allely
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Extensive Literature Search ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Offending Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the research which has examined the link between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and offending behaviour and the impact of prison on individuals with ASDs. Studies suggest that inmates with ASDs may be at an increased risk of bullying, confrontations, exploitation, anxiety and social isolation as a result of their ASD traits such as obsessions, social naivety and impaired empathy. Design/methodology/approach – An extensive review of the literature. Findings – The review identifies a modest amount of studies (n=4) which have explored the experience of individuals with ASD in prison and highlights that inmates with ASDs face a multitude of problems when they enter prison. Despite an extensive literature search only one study was identified which investigated the knowledge and understanding of ASDs amongst prison staff. Research limitations/implications – Further research is urgently needed to consider the specific problems faced by inmates with ASD, to identify how to make the prison environment safer and more supportive for inmates with ASD and how to reduce the likelihood of re-offending. Practical implications – This review highlights that, to date, there has been relatively little to guide service design in order to develop support services for individuals with ASD in prison. There has been a scarcity of studies investigating the effectiveness of various treatment models to target offending behaviour in individuals with ASD. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need to study and identify the specific problems faced by inmates with ASD and to identify changes which are required to provide an environment in prison which is safer and more supportive.

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