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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 May;48(5):1742-1760.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3421-9.

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

Tasha M Oswald  1   2   3 , Breanna Winder-Patel  4   5 , Steven Ruder  4 , Guibo Xing  6 , Aubyn Stahmer  4   7 , Marjorie Solomon  4   7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Tasha M Oswald et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 May.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Adults; Autism Spectrum Disorder; CBT for Anxiety; Randomized controlled trial; Self-determination; Social skills.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant flow chart following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. PT = participant. SC = Social Coach
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fidelity Implementation Checklist
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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