Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement Program (EASE)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- ages 12-21 years, inclusive
- A diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), as defined by exceeding the ASD cutoff on the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale) or ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) In. If the participant has completed the ADOS in a previous study within 3 years and signs a release of information to obtain it, they will not be required to complete another ADOS.
- Average verbal intellectual ability (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence-2 [WASI-2] FSIQ >=75).
- Fluent in the English language
- Problems with regulating emotions based on parent report 6) Parent/guardian who will attend sessions and assessments.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current concerns of suicidality that warrants immediate clinical care (such potential participants will be referred elsewhere for treatment), determined by clinical interview.
- Previous or current diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.
- Receiving concurrent psychotherapy treatment for emotional issues (i.e., depression, anxiety, anger) that overlaps with the current study. This will be assessed using current treatment items on the demographic forms.
Sites / Locations
- University of Alabama
- Shannondora Porton
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Emotion Awareness/Skills Enhancement
Supportive Therapy
EASE Therapy includes 16 weekly sessions focused on mindfulness exercise, review of prior content, practicing prior skills, outline of current session, discussion of the new skill, handouts, practice and plan for out of session practice held in Webster Hall in Pittsburgh, at the Center for the Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems in Tuscaloosa or via telehealth conferencing software. The investigators will apply a multimodal teaching approach, where individual therapy is buttressed by parent involvement and practice sessions in the youth's community. A secure website developed for this project (emotion-Coach or "e-Coach") will augment the intervention by providing online supports to increase treatment intensity or dosage. There will be specific information on how to reinforce the skills at home and in the community.
Supportive Therapy will involve attending 16 weekly therapy sessions held in Webster Hall in Pittsburgh, at the Center for the Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems in Tuscaloosa or via telehealth conferencing software. The intervention will not involve mindfulness or other emotion regulation strategies used in EASE. The therapy will be tailored to the individual's needs and will include aspects common in supportive therapy such as reflective listening, antecedent management, and problem-solving. This program does not have an online component.