Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to test a novel, three-part cognitive behavioral treatment strategy to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder. The treatment, named TUNE In (Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions), includes components to address the many behavioral domains involved in social functioning, including social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, social skills, and generalization of the skills to community settings. The Investigators will test the efficacy of TUNE In to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using a randomized controlled trial using the SRS-2 as the primary outcome measure.

Official Title
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Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Conditions
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Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions (TUNE In)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder Exclusion Criteria: intellectual disability severe mood or psychotic symptoms experienced in the past 4 weeks severe self-injurious or aggressive behavior severe extrapyramidal motor or sedating side effects of medications concomitant participation in another social skills treatment program.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Participants randomly assigned to either the intervention group (50%) or nonintervention group (50%).
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention Group<br> | Behavioral: Training to Understand and Navigate Emotions and Interactions (TUNE In)<br>* A three-part cognitive behavioral treatment strategy to improve social functioning in adults with autism spectrum disorder. TUNE In includes components to address the many behavioral domains involved in social functioning, including social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, social skills, and generalization of the skills to community settings.<br>|
| No Intervention: Nonintervention Group<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| reduction in Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) - Adult (relative/other report) | Scale ranges from 30 to 90 with higher T-scores indicating greater severity of autism symptomatology. | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy