Impact of Working Together for adults with autism spectrum disorder: a multifamily group intervention

Abstract Background Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower engagement in their communities, higher rates of unemployment/underemployment, and continued difficulties with challenging behavior compared to their neurotypical peers. Multi-family psychoeducation emphasizes education and problem-solving with the goal of improving these outcomes for the individual with the disability. Methods Using a randomized waitlist control design, the present study evaluated a multi-family group psychoeducation intervention, Working Together, for adults on the autism spectrum without intellectual disability (n = 40). Five waves of data were collected at 3-month intervals. In this design, families in the intervention condition participated in intervention during the 6 months between baseline and time 3 data collection; the waitlist control condition received the intervention immediately after the time 3 data collection. We compared these two conditions, intervention group (n = 20) vs waitlist control group (n = 20), on key outcomes for the adults with ASD: engagement in work-related activities, engagement in meaningful activities, and behavior problems. Results Results indicated medium to large effect sizes associated with the Working Together intervention across key outcomes, including adults on the spectrum experiencing significant increases in meaningful activities and decreases in internalizing problems. Although increases in work-related activities were not statistically significant, an observed one-half of a standard deviation difference from before to after the intervention indicated clinically significant change. We also found maintenance of the treatment effect through 6 months post-treatment for the intervention group and replication of the treatment effect within the control group after they received the intervention. Conclusion Working Together is a promising multi-family group psychoeducation intervention designed to improve functioning during adulthood. These findings highlight the need for more intervention services research during adulthood and specifically the need for family-centered supports.

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Impact of Working Together for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Multifamily Group Intervention

10.21203/rs.3.rs-134792/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leann DaWalt ◽

Emily Hickey ◽

Rebekah Hudock ◽

Amy Esler ◽

Marsha Mailick

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Data Collection ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Waitlist Control ◽

Group Psychoeducation ◽

Working Together

Abstract Background. Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower participation in post-secondary education, higher rates of unemployment/underemployment, and continued difficulties with challenging behavior and mental health problems compared to their peers. Multi-family psychoeducation emphasizes education and problem-solving with the goal of improving outcomes for the individual with the disability.Methods. Using a randomized waitlist control design, the present study evaluated a multi-family group psychoeducation intervention, Working Together, for adults on the autism spectrum without intellectual disability (n=40). Five waves of data were collected at three-month intervals. In this design, families in the intervention condition participated in intervention during the 6 months between baseline and Time 3 data collection; the waitlist control condition received the intervention immediately after the Time 3 data collection. We compared these two conditions, intervention group vs waitlist control group, on key outcomes for the adults with ASD: engagement in work, engagement in positive activities, and behavior problems.Results. Results indicated that the Working Together intervention was associated with increases in engagement as well as decreases in behavior problems, particularly internalizing problems. We also found maintenance of the treatment effect through 6 months post-treatment for the intervention group and replication of the treatment effect within the control group after they received the intervention.Conclusion. Working Together is a promising multi-family group psychoeducation intervention designed to improve functioning during adulthood. These findings highlight the need for more intervention services research during adulthood and specifically the need for family-centered supports.

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Speech-in-noise recognition and the relation to vocal pitch perception in adults with autism spectrum disorder and typical development

10.31234/osf.io/u84vd ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stefanie Schelinski ◽

Katharina von Kriegstein

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Pitch Perception ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Speech In Noise ◽

Vocal Pitch

We tested the ability to recognise speech-in-noise and its relation to the ability to discriminate vocal pitch in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developed adults (matched pairwise on age, sex, and IQ). Typically developed individuals understood speech in higher noise levels as compared to the ASD group. Within the control group but not within the ASD group, better speech-in-noise recognition abilities were significantly correlated with better vocal pitch discrimination abilities. Our results show that speech-in-noise recognition is restricted in people with ASD. We speculate that perceptual impairments such as difficulties in vocal pitch perception might be relevant in explaining these difficulties in ASD.

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Experiences of Dental Care and Dental Anxiety in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2014/238764 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

My Blomqvist ◽

Göran Dahllöf ◽

Susanne Bejerot

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Dental Anxiety ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Experienced Pain ◽

Adults With Asd

Dental anxiety is associated with previous distressing dental experiences, such as lack of understanding of the dentist intentions, perceptions of uncontrollability and experiences of pain during dental treatment. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impaired in building flexible predictions and expectations, which is very much needed during a dental visit. The aims of the study were to investigate if people with ASD have more negative dental experiences and a higher level of dental anxiety compared to a matched control group. Forty-seven adults with ASD and of normal intellectual performance, and 69 age- and sex-matched typically developing controls completed questionnaires on previous dental experiences and dental anxiety, the Dental Anxiety Scale, and the Dental Beliefs Survey. The ASD group experienced pain during dental treatments more often than the controls and 22% had repeatedly experienced being forced to dental treatment they were not prepared for, compared to 3% of the controls. A higher level of dental anxiety was reported by the ASD group. Dental treatment and methods for supporting the communication with patients with ASD need to be developed, in order to reduce the negative dental experiences and dental anxiety in people with ASD.

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An integrated training approach for ameliorating repetitive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

10.35542/osf.io/v38xa ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Way Kwok Wai LAU ◽

TAI Pui Lun Alan ◽

LAU Sin-Yan Cathy

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Passive Control ◽

Motor Behavior ◽

Repetitive Behavior ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Integrated Intervention

This study examined the effect of a 10-week integrated intervention on communication and repetitive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eighteen participants (age 4-7 years) diagnosed with ASD were assigned to the intervention group (nine participants) or the passive control group. Changes in communication and repetitive behavior were assessed by the Chinese PsychoEducational Profile, 3rd edition (CPEP-3). After the intervention, group-by-time interaction effects on the improvement of characteristic motor behavior were observed (ղ2p=.689, p=.0001, 90% CI=.379 to .795). Post-hoc analyses showed that such improvement was better in the intervention group (ղ2=.889, p=.0004, 90% CI=.623 to .930) than the control group (ղ2=.498, p=.043, 90% CI=.050 to .693). On the other hand, a main effect of time was observed on the improvement of communication across both groups. Our findings suggest that this integrated intervention may provide a beneficial influence on repetitive behavior in children with ASD.

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Minor Physical Anomalies in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls

Autism Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2014/743482 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Irina Manouilenko ◽

Jonna M. Eriksson ◽

Mats B. Humble ◽

Susanne Bejerot

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

The Individual ◽

Minor Physical Anomalies ◽

Adults With Asd

Minor Physical Anomalies (MPAs) are subtle abnormalities of the head, face, and limbs, without significant cosmetic or functional impact to the individual. They are assumed to represent external markers of developmental deviations during foetal life. MPAs have been suggested to indicate severity in mental illness and constitute external markers for atypical brain development. Higher frequencies of MPAs can be found in children with autism. The aims of the present study were to examine the prevalence and patterns of MPAs in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to investigate whether MPAs are associated with symptom severity and overall functioning. Fifty adults with ASD and intelligence within the normal range and 53 healthy controls were examined with the Waldrop scale, an instrument for assessing MPAs. Face and feet were photographed enabling blinded assessment. Significant differences between the ASD and the control group were found on the MPA total scores, and also in the craniofacial region scores. Moreover, the shape of the ears was associated with autistic traits, in the ASD group. High MPA total scores were associated with poorer functioning. The findings suggest a link between MPAs, autistic traits, and level of functioning. Assessment of MPAs may assist in the diagnostic procedure of psychiatric disorders.

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Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ◽

10.1007/s10803-021-05138-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alayna Murray ◽

Arlene Mannion ◽

June L. Chen ◽

Geraldine Leader

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Peer Attachment ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Autism Spectrum Quotient ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Small Effect Size

AbstractGaming disorder (GD) is a clinical addiction to video or internet games. This study investigated whether GD symptoms are heightened in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to a control group, and explored predictors of GD in 230 adults with ASD and 272 controls. The relationship between GD and gelotophobia was examined. Measures included the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, GELOPH < 15 >, Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 items, Inventory of Parent and Peer attachment, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) and the NEO-FFI-3. Individuals in the ASD group showed significantly higher symptoms of GD. Peer-attachment, emotional regulation and extraversion significantly predicted GD scores. Gelotophobia and GD were related to each other with a small effect size.

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Saccadic eye movements in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361316667057 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 195-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tiziana Zalla ◽

Magali Seassau ◽

Fabienne Cazalis ◽

Doriane Gras ◽

Marion Leboyer

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Eye Movements ◽

Autistic Spectrum Disorder ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Saccadic Eye Movements ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Autistic Spectrum

In this study, we examined the accuracy and dynamics of visually guided saccades in 20 adults with autism spectrum disorder, as compared to 20 typically developed adults using the Step/Overlap/Gap paradigms. Performances in participants with autistic spectrum disorder were characterized by preserved Gap/Overlap effect, but reduced gain and peak velocity, as well as a greater trial-to-trial variability in task performance, as compared to the control group. While visual orienting and attentional engagement were relatively preserved in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder, overall these findings provide evidence that abnormal oculomotor behavior in autistic spectrum disorder reflects an altered sensorimotor control due to cerebellar abnormalities, rather than a deficit in the volitional control of eye movements. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence implicating this structure in the physiopathology of autism.

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Transition to work: Perspectives from the autism spectrum

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361316687697 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 528-541 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Darren Hedley ◽

Ru Cai ◽

Mirko Uljarevic ◽

Mathilda Wilmot ◽

Jennifer R Spoor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Training Programme ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Transition To Work ◽

Work Related ◽

Social Difficulties ◽

The Individual

To improve employment outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder, it is necessary to identify factors associated with successful transition to work from the perspectives of the individual and from those who work with or support them. This study involved focus groups with adults with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 9) participating in a 3-year employment and training programme, as well as focus groups with family members ( n = 6), support staff ( n = 7) and co-workers ( n = 6). The aim was to gain better understanding of the experience of transition to work, barriers and also the factors that promote workplace success. Main themes included factors that facilitated success at work ( Enablers), barriers to success ( Challenges) and programme outcomes ( Outcomes). Organisation support, advice from co-workers, supportive leadership, allowance of environmental modifications and presence of a consultant were identified as enablers that most facilitated success at work. Challenges included task-related difficulties, individual factors, social difficulties and distractibility, not managing work-related stress, and being perceived to be too frank. Outcomes were rated as positive and encompassed work-related outcomes, as well as outcomes related to sense of purpose, achieving personal independence and improvements in social relationships, both with work colleagues and within families.

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Neurobiological mechanisms of social cognition treatment in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291719002472 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (14) ◽

pp. 2374-2384 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gabriela Rosenblau ◽

Garret O'Connell ◽

Hauke R. Heekeren ◽

Isabel Dziobek

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Computer Training ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Adults With Autism ◽

Control Group Design ◽

Before And After ◽

Adults With Asd

AbstractBackgroundThe promise of precision medicine for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hinges on developing neuroscience-informed individualized interventions. Taking an important step in this direction, we investigated neuroplasticity in response to an ecologically-valid, computer-based social-cognitive training (SCOTT).MethodsIn an active control group design, 48 adults with ASD were randomly assigned to a 3-month SCOTT or non-social computer training. Participants completed behavioral tasks, a functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging session before and after the training period.ResultsThe SCOTT group showed social-cognitive improvements on close and distant generalization tasks. The improvements scaled with reductions in functional activity and increases in cortical thickness in prefrontal regions.ConclusionIn sum, we provide evidence for the sensitivity of neuroscientific methods to reflect training-induced social-cognitive improvements in adults with ASD. These results encourage the use of neuroimaging data to describe and quantify treatment-related changes more broadly.

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A Dance Movement Psychotherapy Intervention for the Wellbeing of Children With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Intervention Study

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.588418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Supritha Aithal ◽

Vicky Karkou ◽

Stergios Makris ◽

Themis Karaminis ◽

Joanne Powell

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Dance Movement ◽

Children With Asd ◽

The Social ◽

And Control

BackgroundSustaining the wellbeing for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be highly demanding. Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP), a form of psychotherapy with a non-verbal character, may present as a relevant intervention option for this group of children.MethodsA protocol-based group DMP intervention was developed and implemented in two special educational needs schools in the North West of England. We aimed to investigate the effects of DMP on children with ASD using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Twenty-six children aged between 8 and 13 years (mean age = 10.65 years) with ASD were randomly allocated to DMP and a control group with standard care, following a crossover research design.ResultsResults showed no significant carryover or period effects for either the SCQ or SDQ (p > 0.05). A significant intervention effect was found only for SCQ (p = 0.005) but not for SDQ (p > 0.05). ANCOVAs were performed on the data before the crossover to test for differences in SCQ and SDQ scores between the DMP intervention and control groups while controlling for pre-intervention scores. Those in the DMP intervention group presented significantly lower SCQ scores following the intervention period than those in the control group (p = 0.001). No significant differences in post-intervention SDQ scores were found between DMP intervention and control groups (p = 0.2). However, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were reached for both SCQ and SDQ measures before crossover for those in the DMP intervention group. Moreover, repeated measures ANOVAs performed on SCQ and SDQ measures following crossover were significant, with the change in both SCQ (p = 0.001) and SDQ (p = 0.009) pre-and post-intervention being significantly greater for those in the DMP intervention than the control group.ConclusionThe pilot DMP intervention has shown promising results on the social and emotional wellbeing of children with ASD irrespective of whether they preferred verbal or non-verbal mode of communication. Limitations and appropriateness of the research methods implemented in this study for their use in a large RCT are discussed in detail. Overall, our findings highlight the value of creative therapies for improving the lives of young vulnerable groups.

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