How Adolescents with Autism and Their Parents Perceived the Chilled Program: A Treatment Acceptability Framework for Autism Researchers

Background:   To prevent researchers in the field of autism from making erroneous assumptions about the effectiveness of interventions, the subjective experience of individuals with autism, and their families, participating in randomised controlled trial interventions, warrants attention in autism cognitive and behavioural research. Currently, limited emerging evidence of participant adherence to and acceptance of cognitive behavioural therapy intervention exists, however a more comprehensive evaluation model of assessing social validity in autism research is warranted.

Objectives:  To assess the social validity of an anxiety reduction program for adolescents with high functioning autism, and to devise a framework for clinicians and researchers to measure participant satisfaction and acceptability of psychosocial interventions.

Methods:  A randomised controlled trial was employed to assess the social validity of a group, family-based, cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (CBT) for adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD), and co-occurring anxiety disorder/s (AD). Forty-four adolescent-parent dyads participated in the 12-session program, an adaptation of the ‘Cool Kids’ ASD anxiety program (Chalfant, Lyneham, Carrol, & Rapee, 2010). Both quantitative and qualitative methodology determined the social validity of treatment.

Results:  The results will be presented in four parts a) adolescent quantitative feedback which consists of the overall ratings of the intervention, b) adolescent qualitative feedback which is comprised of responses to five open-ended questions, c) Parent quantitative feedback consisting of overall feedback about the program and any changes in their adolescent since completing the intervention, and d) qualitative feedback from parents comprising of three responses to open-ended questions. 

Conclusions:  High program adherence and acceptability of the Chilled program were found by both adolescents and their participating parent/s. A feasible model for effectively assessing the relevance and acceptability of behavioural interventions in autism research and practice will be presented.