Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Phase: NA
Conditions: Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Study Title: Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults with Autism Spectrum 
Disorders 
NCT#: NCT04788537 
Document Date: 01/12/2024 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Study Protocol 
Interventions targeted toward adults with autism spectrum disorder are limited. TUNE In 
(Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions) is a novel three-
component cognitive behavioral treatment strategy to improve social functioning skills for 
this population. Speciﬁcally, we aim to address a broad domain of skills: social motivation, 
social anxiety, social cognition, and the generalization of these skills in naturalistic 
community environments.  
Objectives: Test the eSicacy of TUNE In for adults with autism spectrum disorder with 1) 
change in social responsiveness scale (SRS) scores and 2) good acceptability and 
feasibility. 
Design and Methods: 50% of participants will be enrolled in the treatment (TUNE In) group 
and the other 50% will be enrolled in the control group (treatment as usual). The treatment 
group’s components include the following: 5 individual sessions (component 1), 8 group 
sessions broken into didactic and conversation practice parts (component 2), and 4 
advocacy group sessions (component 3). The participants complete the SRS (the primary 
outcome measure) before and after the treatment. Additionally, at the very end of the 
intervention, participants complete a semi structed zoom-based qualitative interview 
about the acceptability and feasibility of the various components within the intervention.