A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the ACCESS Program: A Group Intervention to Improve Social, Adaptive Functioning, Stress Coping, and Self-Determination Outcomes in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3421-9
• Publication Date: 2017-12-12T12:31:49Z
• Authors: Tasha M. Oswald; Breanna Winder-Patel; Steven Ruder; Guibo Xing; Aubyn Stahmer; Marjorie Solomon
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 6.6 Psychological and behavioural; Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD); Autism; Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities; 150; 610; Developmental & Child Psychology; Pilot Projects; Stress; Education; Social Skills; Executive Function; Young Adult; 7.1 Individual care needs; Clinical Research; Health Services and Systems; Health Sciences; Behavioral and Social Science; Adaptation, Psychological; Psychology; Adults; Humans; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Adaptation; Social skills; Pediatric; Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; 05 social sciences; Health sciences; Social Support; CBT for Anxiety; Self-determination; Self Efficacy; Brain Disorders; 3. Good health; Mental Health; Good Health and Well Being; Treatment Outcome; Randomized controlled trial; Psychological; Mental health; Female; CBT for Anxiety; Social Adjustment; Stress, Psychological

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to investigate the acceptability and efficacy of the Acquiring Career, Coping, Executive control, Social Skills (ACCESS) Program, a group intervention tailored for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to enhance critical skills and beliefs that promote adult functioning, including social and adaptive skills, self-determination skills, and coping self-efficacy. Forty-four adults with ASD (ages 18-38; 13 females) and their caregivers were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control. Compared to controls, adults in treatment significantly improved in adaptive and self-determination skills, per caregiver report, and self-reported greater belief in their ability to access social support to cope with stressors. Results provide evidence for the acceptability and efficacy of the ACCESS Program.