title: Outcomes of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group for students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: a quasi-experimental pilot study.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by social impairments and behavioural inflexibility. In this pilot study, the feasibility and outcomes of a 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy-based skills training group were evaluated in a special school setting using a quasi-experimental design (acceptance and commitment therapy/school classes as usual). A total of 28 high-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (aged 13-21 years) were assessed using self- and teacher-ratings at pre- and post-assessment and 2-month follow-up. All participants completed the skills training, and treatment satisfaction was high. Levels of stress, hyperactivity and emotional distress were reduced in the treatment group. The acceptance and commitment therapy group also reported increased prosocial behaviour. These changes were stable or further improved at the 2-month follow-up. Larger studies are needed to further evaluate the benefits of acceptance and commitment therapy for autism spectrum disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pahnke
authors.affiliation: Stockholm University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundgren
authors.affiliation: University of Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hursti
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Sweden Tatja.Hirvikoski@ki.se.
authors.forename: Tatja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirvikoski
mesh_terms: D064869:Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: acceptance and commitment therapy; adolescents; autism spectrum disorder; cognitive behavioural therapy; high-functioning; mindfulness; skills training; treatment