Abstract
BackgroundAdults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower engagement in their communities, higher rates of unemployment/underemployment, and continued difficulties with challenging behavior compared to their neurotypical peers. Multi-family psychoeducation emphasizes education and problem-solving with the goal of improving these outcomes for the individual with the disability.MethodsUsing a randomized waitlist control design, the present study evaluated a multi-family group psychoeducation intervention, Working Together, for adults on the autism spectrum without intellectual disability (n = 40). Five waves of data were collected at 3-month intervals. In this design, families in the intervention condition participated in intervention during the 6 months between baseline and time 3 data collection; the waitlist control condition received the intervention immediately after the time 3 data collection. We compared these two conditions, intervention group (n = 20) vs waitlist control group (n = 20), on key outcomes for the adults with ASD: engagement in work-related activities, engagement in meaningful activities, and behavior problems.ResultsResults indicated medium to large effect sizes associated with the Working Together intervention across key outcomes, including adults on the spectrum experiencing significant increases in meaningful activities and decreases in internalizing problems. Although increases in work-related activities were not statistically significant, an observed one-half of a standard deviation difference from before to after the intervention indicated clinically significant change. We also found maintenance of the treatment effect through 6 months post-treatment for the intervention group and replication of the treatment effect within the control group after they received the intervention.ConclusionWorking Together is a promising multi-family group psychoeducation intervention designed to improve functioning during adulthood. These findings highlight the need for more intervention services research during adulthood and specifically the need for family-centered supports.
Highlights
IntroductionMeet other adults on the spectrum Find shared interests [68] aMeet other familiesLearn about developmental course of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ([75] [76] [77];);aGroup meeting 2 Goal setting and problem solvingLearn about goal setting Write personal goals that are realistic and measurableLearn about educational/training services and goal setting [95] aLearn and practice problem-solving methodGroup meeting 3 Coping strategies and problem solving Discuss coping strategies (Essex et al, 1999 [84];)aLearn problem-solving methodProblem-solve stress managementLearn about supportive family climates and coping ([6] [84]; [32];; Orsmond et al, 2006)a
Present study The present study examined the effects of Working Together, a multi-family group psychoeducation intervention for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability (ID), designed by the first author, using a randomized waitlist control design
Inclusion criteria for the present study were (1) the adult with ASD was 18 to 30 years of age, (2) the adult had a full-scale intelligence quotient equal to or greater than 70, (3) confirmation of the adult’s independent medical diagnosis or educational label of autism spectrum disorder using the Social Communication Questionnaire-Lifetime (SCQ [72];), (4) adult co-resided with parent(s), and (5) adult spent less than 10 h/week in employment/educational activities
Summary
Meet other adults on the spectrum Find shared interests [68] aMeet other familiesLearn about developmental course of ASD ([75] [76] [77];);aGroup meeting 2 Goal setting and problem solvingLearn about goal setting Write personal goals that are realistic and measurableLearn about educational/training services and goal setting [95] aLearn and practice problem-solving methodGroup meeting 3 Coping strategies and problem solving Discuss coping strategies (Essex et al, 1999 [84];)aLearn problem-solving methodProblem-solve stress managementLearn about supportive family climates and coping ([6] [84]; [32];; Orsmond et al, 2006)a. Meet other adults on the spectrum Find shared interests [68] a. Learn about developmental course of ASD ([75] [76] [77];);a. Group meeting 2 Goal setting and problem solving. Learn about goal setting Write personal goals that are realistic and measurable. Learn about educational/training services and goal setting [95] a. Group meeting 3 Coping strategies and problem solving Discuss coping strategies (Essex et al, 1999 [84];)a. Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower engagement in their communities, higher rates of unemployment/underemployment, and continued difficulties with challenging behavior compared to their neurotypical peers. Multi-family psychoeducation emphasizes education and problem-solving with the goal of improving these outcomes for the individual with the disability
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