21086
Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
Prior research has shown that individuals with ASD experience difficulties in emotional functioning and emotion regulation (ER). Furthermore, aggression, irritability, anxiety, and tantrum-like behaviors are common among individuals with ASD (Mazefsky et al., 2013; Samson, Huber, & Gross, 2012). MA-based interventions have been shown to be beneficial in targeting ER difficulties (e.g., inflexibility, rumination, or reappraisal and perspective taking) frequently seen in individuals with ASD (Eack et al., 2013; Rieffe et al., 2011; Samson et al., 2013).
Objectives:
Given high levels of ER difficulties among individuals with ASD, the development of effective interventions is imperative. The purpose of the current study was to determine the feasibility of a new, mindfulness-based intervention targeting ER difficulties in ASD.
Methods:
Nine young adults aged 18-25 years (mean= 19.56; 7 males= 77.78%) participated. All had ADOS-2 confirmed ASD diagnosis and IQ> 80. After eligibility determination, participants were randomly assigned to a three- or four-week baseline period, then completed six hour-long weekly individual therapy sessions where Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy (MBCT) techniques and ER strategies were covered. Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985) at eligibility and endpoint. Reliabile Change Indices (RCI; Jacobson & Truax, 1991) and clinically meaningful change scores were used to assess within-person change over the course of intervention.
Results:
On the DERS, two of the nine participants had RCI scores above the cutoff of +/- 1.91, while an additional participant had a clinically meaningful change score from eligibility to endpoint. Four participants were below clinical cutoffs at eligibility and remained below cutoffs at endpoint, and two participants remained above clinically significant cutoffs. Seven of the nine participants’ DERS scores decreased, indicating improving ER, from eligibility to post-treatment.
For the SWLS, none of participants demonstrated a significant RCI; however, one of the participants displayed meaningful change from pre- to post-treatment. Three other participants remained above the meaningful change cutoff throughout treatment.
Conclusions:
Results indicate that mindfulness-based intervention significantly lowers ER difficulties for adults with ASD who reported elevated ER difficulties prior to beginning intervention. The intervention did not have a significant effect on quality of life for most of the participants. Further research on ER and mindfulness-based interventions for ASD is warranted. Clinical implications related to ER and these interventions for ASD will be discussed.