Behavioral Interventions for Adults with ASD

While research on adult outcomes in ASD has been an area of recent focus, intervention research has not kept pace, leaving the field fairly uninformed regarding best practices. There is a critical need for treatment research given outcome data suggesting that adults often struggle with psychiatric comorbidity, unemployment and underemployment, and overall diminished quality of life. In this panel, four clinical scientists from different institutions present original research on intervention studies for adults with ASD with diverse targets. McVey and colleagues present data on a replication of the PEERS-Young Adult social skills intervention and investigate how the program affects related issues such as anxiety. Eack and colleagues present data on an RCT of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy, where social and nonsocial cognitive rehabilitation is conducted, and have found effects in both neurocognitive and social domains. Next, Schall and her colleagues present outcome data from Project Search, an intervention focusing on training and maintaining vocational work. Lastly, Conner presents data on an adapted mindfulness-based intervention for young adults with ASD focusing on emotion dysregulation. Together, these presentations present preliminary results of wide ranging intervention foci and implementation approaches. Collectively, the studies suggest that clinically significant change is possible for adults.
Thursday, May 12, 2016: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Room 310 (Baltimore Convention Center)
Panel Chair:
C. M. Conner
10:30 AM
A Replication and Extension of the UCLA PEERSĀ® for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention
A. McVey B. Dolan K. A. Schohl C. Caiozzo E. Vogt A. V. Van Hecke
11:00 AM
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from an Ongoing Randomized-Controlled Trial
S. M. Eack D. P. Greenwald S. S. Hogarty M. Y. Litschge S. S. Porton C. A. Mazefsky N. J. Minshew