The development of the Cognitive Behavioural Social Competence Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Autism: A mixed methods report

Abstract

BackgroundMany young people with autism can have an average or above average IQ, yet they still struggle with the social competencies needed to successfully navigate into adulthood. Despite many individuals with autism experiencing significant challenges during their transition into adulthood, evidence‐based therapeutic interventions to support individuals with autism during this transition are limited. The current literature suggests that cognitive behavioural therapy interventions can help improve social skills and the mental health of individuals with autism. However, little is known about the benefits for young adults with autism transitioning or who have transitioned into adulthood.Aims and MethodThe aim of this research was to deliver a newly developed Cognitive Behavioural Social Competence Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Autism (CBSCTI‐A) to five young adults with autism. Research aims were to evaluate intervention feasibility and efficacy by triangulating data findings using a mixed methods approach.ResultsResults support feasibility, with CBSCTI‐A receiving very high user satisfaction ratings, and adherence to the intervention was high, recorded at ~90%. Fidelity to treatment was also high, ranging from ~86% to ~100%. Quantitative findings indicate that over an eight‐week time period, a small sample of young adults with autism experienced significant improvements with regard to their social motivation, non‐verbal conversation, emotional empathy, assertiveness, interpersonal relationships and self‐control. Qualitative findings provide further anecdotal support for intervention feasibility and efficacy. After the completion of the intervention, participants and their parents were invited to complete semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis (TA) revealed four main themes: user satisfaction, important components of therapeutic intervention, challenges and critiques, and recommendations.ConclusionsCBSCTI‐A appears to be a feasible intervention; however, future research with larger samples and more rigorous controlled trials is needed before efficacy can be established.