The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study is investigating the development of a social skills training program for adults with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, ages 18 to 35 years. The Principal Investigator for this study is Dr. Michael Murray, the director of the Autism Studies Division at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The purpose of this study is to adapt a social skills training program to address and enhance the social skills of adults with Asperger's Syndrome and high-functioning autism.

Detailed Description
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During group study visits, a group of six young adults with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism will meet weekly for about 90 minutes. The purpose of the group sessions is to work on everyday social skills such as initiating and maintaining conversations, establishing friendships, and dealing with situations such as job interviews and dating. A generalization session will be held every week after the group therapy session with same-age peers who have been screened to participate in the study. The purpose of including peers in the class is to give young adults with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism a chance to practice the social skills learned in the group study visit with a peer group. Study participants will be paired with a typically developing peer for an outing in the community to a nearby restaurant or shop or an in-class exercise such as a mock job interview.

Official Title
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The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adults: Validation of an Intervention for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: social skills therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Between 18 and 35 years of age Must be a Pennsylvania resident A primary diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, as confirmed by the SRS-2 A verbal IQ of 85 or above on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition English as primary language spoken Ability to fluently speak in full sentences Exclusion Criteria: A significant language delay Difficulty with aggression directed at peers A primary thought disorder A secondary disorder of anxiety or depression so severe as to prevent the individual's participation in the treatment A current high school student at start of intervention Low social motivation demonstrated through formalized assessment and/or by responses given to screening interview

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 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
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Social Skills Intervention<br>The intervention is a 16-week social skills therapy program that will consist of a 90 minute group therapy session followed by a 90 minute peer generalization session meeting once per week. Each cohort will consist of 6 adolescents with Aspergers or high-functioning autism, who will be joined by 6 typically-developing peers for the peer generalization portion. During the group therapy session young adults will discuss and watch video clips addressing social skills topics relevant to their age group. They will have a chance to practice these skills when paired with typically developing peer volunteers. | Behavioral: social skills therapy<br>* Sixteen week manual based social skills curriculum targeting social fluency and responsiveness.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult | The Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult is used to measure levels of social awareness, cognition, communication, motivation, and autistic mannerisms in adults. | One week post-intervention | 
| Video recording of Social Interaction | Participants will be filmed in a brief interaction with a typically developing peer which will be coded to obtain social interaction skills and fluency scores. | One week post-intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Achenbach Adult Behavior Checklist | The Achenbach is a 126-item survey that asks about behaviors, problems, and substance use. | One week post-intervention | 
| Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA) | The SELSA is a 37-item survey that assesses friendships and other relationships. | one week post-intervention | 
| Social Skills Inventory (SSI) | The SSI is a 90-item survey that measures social competence. | one week post-intervention | 
| Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) | The SPIN is a 17-item survey that asks about feelings in social situations. | one week post-intervention | 
| Empathy Quotient | The EQ is a 60-item survey that assesses ability to relate to others. | one week post-intervention | 
| Achenbach Adult Behavior Checklist - Self Report | A 126-item survey that asks about behaviors, problems, and substance use. | one week post-intervention | 
| Social Fluency Assessment | Participants will be filmed in a brief interaction with a typically developing peer. These videos will be analyzed for indicators of social fluency such as eye contact, seconds of silence and number of questions asked. | one week post-intervention | 
| Achenbach Adult Behavior Checklist | The Achenbach is a 126-item survey that asks about behaviors, problems, and substance use. | three months post-intervention | 
| Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA) | The SELSA is a 37-item survey that assesses friendships and other relationships. | three months post-intervention | 
| Social Skills Inventory (SSI) | The SSI is a 90-item survey that measures social competence. | three months post-intervention | 
| Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) | The SPIN is a 17-item survey that asks about feelings in social situations. | three months post-intervention | 
| Empathy Quotient | The EQ is a 60-item survey that assesses ability to relate to others. | three months post-intervention | 
| Achenbach Adult Behavior Checklist - Self Report | A 126-item survey that asks about behaviors, problems, and substance use. | three months post-intervention | 
| Social Fluency Assessment | Participants will be filmed in a brief interaction with a typically developing peer. These videos will be analyzed for indicators of social fluency such as eye contact, seconds of silence and number of questions asked. | three months post-intervention | 
| Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult | The Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult is used to measure levels of social awareness, cognition, communication, motivation, and autistic mannerisms in adults. | three months post-intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Social Skills, Asperger's, High-functioning autism, Young adults