Psychological interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders: a review
Abstract
Purpose
Adults who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience a range of core and co-morbid characteristics which impede daily functioning and quality of life. Children and adolescents with ASD derive clinically meaningful benefits from psychological interventions, including those designed to reduce socio-communication deficits and mental health conditions. Relatively little is known about the effectiveness of these interventions for the adult ASD population. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
A selective search of English language, peer-reviewed publications was undertaken, in order to summarise the empirical data pertaining to psychological interventions for adults with high-functioning ASD (HF-ASD).
Findings
Thus far, social skills interventions, cognitive behaviour therapy techniques, and mindfulness-based approaches have been researched most extensively. Interventions have primarily sought to: reduce the impact of core ASD characteristics; enhance skills; and improve co-morbid mental health symptoms. Methodological and clinical heterogeneity render it difficult to generalise study findings across population samples, but overall, interventions appear to be associated with reductions in co-morbid symptom severity, and improved functioning.
Research limitations/implications
Further studies that seek to improve functioning, reduce co-morbid characteristics, and enhance the propensity for attaining and maintaining independence are now needed.
Practical implications
Adaptations to standard treatment protocols are likely required in order to enhance engagement and optimise treatment gains.
Originality/value
This is one of the first reviews to focus specifically on psychological interventions for adults with HF-ASD.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
DS is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (CDRF – 2012 – 03 – 059). The review presents independent research funded by the NIHR. The views expresed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Acknowledgements to the clinical team at the Adult Autism (Behavioural Genetics) Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King’s College London.
Citation
Spain, D., Harwood, L. and O'Neill, L. (2015), "Psychological interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders: a review", Advances in Autism, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-05-2015-0007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited