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      Psychological interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders: a review

      e-literature-review

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          Abstract

          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.

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          Most cited references25

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          Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism

          Few evidence-based social interventions exist for young adults with high-functioning autism, many of whom encounter significant challenges during the transition into adulthood. The current study investigated the feasibility of an engaging Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training intervention focused on enhancing social skills, social cognition, and social functioning. Eight young adults diagnosed with high-functioning autism completed 10 sessions across 5 weeks. Significant increases on social cognitive measures of theory of mind and emotion recognition, as well as in real life social and occupational functioning were found post-training. These findings suggest that the virtual reality platform is a promising tool for improving social skills, cognition, and functioning in autism.
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            Exploring the 'fractionation' of autism at the cognitive level.

            Autism spectrum disorders are defined by difficulties across a range of areas: social and communication difficulties and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests. It has been suggested that this triad of symptoms cannot be explained by a single cause at the genetic, neural or cognitive level. This article reviews the evidence for a 'fractionable' autism triad at the cognitive level, highlighting questions for future research.
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              • Article: not found

              Social skills training for young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study.

              Despite the psychosocial difficulties common among young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), little to no evidence-based social skills interventions exist for this population. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, the current study tested the effectiveness of an evidence-based, caregiver-assisted social skills intervention known as PEERS for Young Adults with high-functioning young adults with ASD (ages 18-23) using self- and caregiver-report measures. Results revealed that treated young adults reported significantly less loneliness and improved social skills knowledge, while caregivers reported significant improvements in young adults' overall social skills, social responsiveness, empathy, and frequency of get-togethers. Results support the effectiveness of using this caregiver-assisted, manualized intervention for young adults with ASD.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Journal
                AIA
                10.1108/AIA
                Advances in Autism
                Emerald Publishing
                2056-3868
                29 October 2015
                29 October 2015
                : 1
                : 2
                : 79-86
                Affiliations
                MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
                Goldsmiths University, London, United Kingdom
                MRC Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
                Article
                AIA-05-2015-0007.pdf
                10.1108/AIA-05-2015-0007
                177c4440-b6c9-49ed-a483-efcfffd2eeaf
                © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
                History
                Categories
                Articles
                Literature review
                Health & social care
                Learning & intellectual disabilities
                Custom metadata
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                yes
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                Health & Social care
                Mental health,Adults,Co-morbidity,Autism spectrum disorder,Psychological interventions

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