title: A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) spend the majority of their lives as adults, and psychosocial interventions show promise for improving outcomes in this population. This research conducted a systematic review of all peer-review studies evaluating psychosocial interventions for adults with ASD. A total of 1,217 studies were reviewed, only 13 met inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were single case studies or non-randomized controlled trials, and most focused on applied behavior analysis or social cognition training. Effects of psychosocial treatment in adults with ASD were largely positive ranging from d = 0.14-3.59, although the quantity and quality of studies is limited. There is substantial need for the rigorous development and evaluation of psychosocial treatments for adults with ASD.
authors: School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, 2117 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. lef35@pitt.edu
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Bishop-Fitzpatrick
authors: Nancy J
authors: NJ
authors: Minshew
authors: Shaun M
authors: SM
authors: Eack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception