An Intervention Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With ASD

An Intervention Program Targeting Daily Adaptive Skills Through Executive Function Training for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

The current study is a single group pilot study of a novel intervention program which targets improvements in executive functions and adaptive skills in transition age young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The main aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the intervention using a pretest-posttest comparison. It is hypothesised that there will be an increase in executive functions and adaptive skills after the intervention.

The participants engaged in a 10-week group-based intervention program which aims to improve daily adaptive skills based on executive functions and help the transition into adulthood in young adults with ASD. Before and after the intervention, the participants and their parents completed questionnaires that measure executive functions and adaptive skills, and the participants additionally completed an assessment of social adaptive skills. The differences between pre- and post-intervention scores of the outcome measures were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate the effect of the program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• A clinical diagnosis of ASD as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised
• Full-scale IQ of 70 or above as measured by the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Full-scale IQ less than 70
• Uncooperative and lacking motivation to participate in the programme
• Reporting clinically significant behavioural problems, emotion regulation problems, psychotic symptoms, risk of self-harm or harm to others which can affect the participation to the programme, which is screened by the screening assessments and interviews.