scholarly journals Measuring Social Anxiety in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Instruments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsie Boulton ◽  
Adam Guastella
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
The Social ◽  
Autistic Adults

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at elevated risk for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Limited information exists on the appropriateness of using social anxiety instruments with these adults. This study examines psychometric properties of self-report social anxiety instruments in autistic adults without intellectual disability, compared to adults with SAD. Additionally, we compared instrument scores between autistic adults with a dual diagnosis of SAD and adults with SAD only. Adults diagnosed with SAD (N=316) or ASD (N=102) were recruited from the Brain and Mind Centre in New South Wales, Australia. Sixty autistic participants received a diagnosis of SAD. Participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-self-report, the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, the Social Phobia Scale, and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. All instruments showed excellent internal consistency in autistic adults. Summary scores across instruments were strongly correlated within both groups, and the strength of these correlations were equivalent between ASD and SAD. For all instruments, the performance of autistic adults with a dual diagnosis of SAD was comparable to adults diagnosed with SAD only. Findings suggest that these instruments display adequate psychometric properties in autistic adults without intellectual disability, supporting the use of these instruments in clinical services.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Stress and Social Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Without Intellectual Disability

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Bishop-Fitzpatrick ◽  
Carla A. Mazefsky ◽  
Nancy J. Minshew ◽  
Shaun M. Eack
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Bemmer ◽  
Kelsie A. Boulton ◽  
Emma E. Thomas ◽  
Ben Larke ◽  
Suncica Lah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Adults With Asd ◽  
Young 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.

scholarly journals Burnout among direct support workers of adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Couderc ◽  
Florence Cousson‐Gélie ◽  
Eric Pernon ◽  
Bertrand Porro ◽  
Stéphanie Miot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Direct Support

scholarly journals Emergency service experiences of adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 792-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ami Tint ◽  
Anna M Palucka ◽  
Elspeth Bradley ◽  
Jonathan A Weiss ◽  
Yona Lunsky
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Emergency Department Use ◽  
Police Interactions ◽  
Service Experiences

This study aimed to describe patterns of emergency department use and police interactions, as well as satisfaction with emergency services of 40 adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability over 12–18 months. Approximately 42.5% of the sample reported visiting the emergency department and 32.5% reported interactions with police during the study period. Presenting concerns for emergency department use and police interactions varied widely, highlighting the heterogeneous needs of this population. On average, participants reported being dissatisfied with care received in the emergency department while police interactions were rated relatively more favourably.

scholarly journals Initially intact neural responses to pain in autism are diminished during sustained pain

Autism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 669-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle D Failla ◽  
Estephan J Moana-Filho ◽  
Greg K Essick ◽  
Grace T Baranek ◽  
Baxter P Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Pain Experience ◽  
Stimulus Offset

Pain assessments typically depend on self-report of the pain experience. Yet, in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, this can be an unreliable due to communication difficulties. Importantly, observations of behavioral hypo- and hyperresponsivity to pain suggest altered pain sensitivity in autism spectrum disorder. Neuroimaging may provide insight into mechanisms underlying pain behaviors. The neural pain signature reliably responds to painful stimulation and is modulated by other outside regions, affecting the pain experience. In this first functional magnetic resonance imaging study of pain in autism spectrum disorder, we investigated neural responses to pain in 15 adults with autism spectrum disorder relative to a typical comparison group (n = 16). We explored temporal and spatial properties of the neural pain signature and its modulators during sustained heat pain. The two groups had indistinguishable pain ratings and neural pain signature responses during acute pain; yet, we observed strikingly reduced neural pain signature response in autism spectrum disorder during sustained pain and after stimulus offset. The posterior cingulate cortex, a neural pain signature modulating region, mirrored this late signal reduction in autism spectrum disorder. Intact early responses, followed by diminished late responses to sustained pain, may reflect altered pain coping or evaluation in autism spectrum disorder. Evidence of a dichotomous neural response to initial versus protracted pain may clarify the coexistence of both hypo- and hyperresponsiveness to pain in autism spectrum disorder.

iPod Touch® to Increase Functional Communication of Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Significant Intellectual Disability

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Nepo ◽  
Matt Tincani ◽  
Saul Axelrod ◽  
Lois Meszaros
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Speech Communication ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Ipod Touch ◽  
Adults With Asd

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and significant intellectual disability (ID) often have limited speech communication abilities. Abundant research supports use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to enhance skills of children with ASD and ID, but less research has examined efficacy of AAC with non-speaking adults. In this study, three adults with ASD and significant ID were taught basic functional communication using the iPod Touch® with MyTalk Mobile® software within a single-case, multiple-probe across-subjects design. The iPod Touch® taught with most-to-least prompting increased participants’ independent manding, participants were able to discriminate between picture symbols, and participants’ manding generalized to a naturalistic setting with typically available preferred items. Implementation of AAC coincided with increases in speech for one participant. Results illustrate how an applied behavior analysis approach incorporating a speech generating device is effective in teaching communication to adults with ASD and significant ID.

scholarly journals Modified CBT for Social Anxiety and Social Functioning in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R Bemmer ◽  
Kelsie A Boulton ◽  
Emma E Thomas ◽  
Ben Larke ◽  
Suncica Lah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
Adults With Asd ◽  
Young 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 efficacy of a group 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 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group 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 standalone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, potential clinical utility, and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design.

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