| Title: |
Investigating Social Competence in a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of a Theatre-Based Intervention Enhanced for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Blythe A. Corbett (ORCID 0000-0003-2165-8015); Alexandra P. Key (ORCID 0000-0002-2669-8334); Mark E. Klemencic (ORCID 0000-0002-8722-6808); Rachael A. Muscatello (ORCID 0000-0002-9862-1686); Dorita Jones; Jennifer Pilkington; Christina Burroughs (ORCID 0000-0003-3569-9643); Simon Vandekar (ORCID 0000-0002-7457-9073) |
| Source: |
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2025 55(1):130-146. |
| Availability: |
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
17 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH); Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: |
R33MH120149; CTSAUL1TR000445 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Autism Spectrum Disorders; Adults; Interpersonal Competence; Interpersonal Communication; Theater Arts; Enrichment Activities; Pilot Projects; Feasibility Studies; Program Effectiveness |
| DOI: |
10.1007/s10803-023-06214-0 |
| ISSN: |
0162-3257; 1573-3432 |
| Abstract: |
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges in social competence that persist in adulthood, yet few treatment options exist. A pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention with established efficacy in youth with ASD was examined in autistic adults. The final sample consisted of forty-seven 18-to-40-year-old participants randomized to the experimental (EXP N = 23) or waitlist control (WLC N = 24) condition. A multimodal, social interdependent model was employed to examine social competence changes in brain (incidental face memory (IFM) using event-related potentials), cognition (Wechsler Memory Scale-III), behavior (Contextual Assessment of Social Skills) and function (Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS); Adaptive Behavior Assessment Scale (ABAS) Social Composite). Using analysis of covariance in which pretest was controlled in the model, posttest between-group differences were observed on IFM (p = 0.016, n[superscript 2] = 0.139, d = 0.79) and several social and adaptive functional (SRS, ABAS) outcomes in social communication and interaction (SCI) (p = 0.019, n[superscript 2] = 0.121, d = -00.45), communication (p = 0.044 n[superscript 2] = 0.09, d = -00.31), and motivation (p = 0.001, n[superscript 2] = 0.229, d = -0.79) domains. At two-month follow-up, gains in social motivation remained (p = 0.041, n[superscript 2] = 0.100, d = -0.77). The results offer preliminary support for a unique theatre-based social skills intervention for autistic adults who have few treatment options to enhance social competence. The trial was pre-registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04349644). |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1460690 |
| Database: |
ERIC |