The current study is a single group pilot study of a novel intervention program which targets improvements in executive functions and adaptive skills in transition age young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. The main aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of the intervention using a pretest-posttest comparison. It is hypothesised that there will be an increase in executive functions and adaptive skills after the intervention.
The participants engaged in a 10-week group-based intervention program which aims to improve daily adaptive skills based on executive functions and help the transition into adulthood in young adults with ASD. Before and after the intervention, the participants and their parents completed questionnaires that measure executive functions and adaptive skills, and the participants additionally completed an assessment of social adaptive skills. The differences between pre- and post-intervention scores of the outcome measures were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate the effect of the program.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
7
An intervention program to improve adaptive skills and executive functions in young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder was administered weekly for 10 weeks to the participants. The participants also completed pre-, mid- and post-intervention assessments.
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
The change in the Korean version of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (K-BDEFS)
The Korean version of Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale measures executive functions of adults in everyday life. The score range is 89-356. Higher score indicates worse executive functioning.
Time frame: 1 week before the intervention, between 5th and 6th session of the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.
The change in the Korean version of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (K-Vineland-II)
The Korean version of Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II measures adaptive behavior. The scores are converted into a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Higher score indicates better adaptive functioning.
Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.
The change in the Community Integration Skills Assessment-2 (CISA-2)
The Community Integration Skills Assessment-2 measures adaptive skills necessary for people with developmental disorders to integrate into the community. The scores are converted into a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Higher score indicates better community integration skills.
Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.
The change in the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)
The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory assesses cognitive flexibility. The score range is 19-113. Higher score indicates better cognitive flexibility.
Time frame: 1 week before the intervention and 1-3 week after the intervention.
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