Establish the Couple Intervention Program for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The development of adult intimate relationships and the transition into couplehood are part of most people's life cycles, but these transitions become very challenging for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in as much as social interactions, emotional communication, and reciprocity, which are essential for interpersonal relationships, are made more difficult due to the condition itself. In the Adult ASD Clinic of National Taiwan University Hospital, we observe that the wives of the ASD husband suffer from long-term frustration, loneliness and helplessness, and are frequently experience anxiety and depression, that in turns changes the family's function and impacts on children's mental health. To date, there are limited intervention models focusing on couple therapy for ASD adults (or neurodiverse couple). Given the strong needs of clinical service, this study aims to identify the common problems of the ASD couples and develop a program to improve their partner relationships.

Official Title
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Establish the Couple Intervention Program for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Couple group therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: one person of each couple has either Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis or the autism spectrum quotient scoring above or equal to 26 able to communicate in Chinese Wechsler Intelligence scoring above 70 Exclusion Criteria: Psychiatric disorder (i.e. schizophrenia, substance abuse) unable to communication (i.e. visual or auditory impairment)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

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: ASD couple<br>Either one of the couple has ASD diagnosis, including couples who are married or in romantic relationship. | Behavioral: Couple group therapy<br>* Introduction of I statements Focus of each conversation Emotion acknowledgement Self-assurance and positive feedback teamwork and cooperation Reflection<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS | range from 0 to 8 for each item. Higher the score, worse the symptoms | 6 weeks | 
| Autism Spectrum Quotient | range from 0 to 3 for each item, total score of 50. Higher the score, wrose the related symptoms. | 6 weeks | 
| Empathy Quotient | range from 0 to 3 for each item, total score of 40. Higher the score, worse the empathy | 6 weeks | 
| Social Responsiveness Scale, SRS | 65 questions, range from 1 to 5. Higher the score, worse the symptom | 6 weeks | 
| Quality of socialization questionnaire, QSQ | selected part of the questionnaire to examine the quality of interaction. Higher the score, better the socialization | 6 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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autism spectrum disorder, couple therapy