Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders

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.

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

Participants randomly assigned to either the intervention group (50%) or nonintervention group (50%).

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.

Scale ranges from 30 to 90 with higher T-scores indicating greater severity of autism symptomatology.

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.