Randomized Clinical Trial of TUNE In 3.0: A Social/Emotional Program for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASPE Subproject - Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions (TUNE In)

The purpose of this study is to test a novel, cognitive behavioral treatment strategy to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

The treatment, named TUNE In (Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions), includes components to address the many behavioral domains involved in social functioning, including social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, social skills, and generalization of the skills to community settings.

The Investigators will test the efficacy of TUNE In to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a randomized controlled trial using the SRS-2 as the primary outcome measure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Meet ASD diagnostic criteria supported by an outside diagnostic evaluation and/or by the clinical and developmental information gathered from a phone screen
• Be willing to complete screening surveys (outcome measures)
• Social Responsiveness Score, Second Edition, self-report SRS survey score of greater than or equal to 60

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe self-injurious or aggressive behaviors; or with suicidal or homicidal ideation or behaviors (e.g. suicide attempt) within the last 6 months
• Major mood episode (major depressive episode, manic episode), psychotic symptoms, or a psychiatric hospitalization within the last 6 months
• A history of intellectual disability or low Shipley-2 score