Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by limited social insight and skills, as well as difficulties with coping with change. Therefore teenage is a difficult time period for such individuals. From the clinical practice it is known that adolescents with ASD can encounter difficulties regarding psychosexual development. The limited literature that is available tells us that these adolescents have similar needs and wants to typically developing adolescents, however that they lack the necessary skills, knowledge and insight to fulfill these needs and longings. Currently no evidence-based training tailored to the needs of adolescents with ASD is commonly available. Therefore an individual training program was developed targeting the psychosexual development of adolescents with ASD; the Tackling Teenage Training.
Objectives:
Our aim was to systematically evaluate the Tackling Teenage Training. This training program was specifically created to meet the needs of adolescents with ASD. Aims are to increase knowledge, skills, and self-esteem as well as to decrease worries regarding future quality of life. We currently examined the results of a pilot study. A full RCT will be started at the end of 2011.
Methods:
Adolescents were included if the training was indicated by a psychiatrist of psychologist of the Yulius Mental Health Centre. Before the training (T1) participating adolescents filled out the Teen Transitions Screen (TTS) adolescent version, a newly developed instrument to assess psychosexual development and identify putative problems. They also performed a knowledge test. Their parents filled in the TTS parent version as well as general characteristics about the family. After the training, both the parents and adolescents filled out the TTS again (T2). Adolescents also again performed a knowledge test. Of 19 adolescents both pre- and post-training data was currently available. Of this group 79% was male (N=15). Average age was 14 years at T1 and 15 years at T2. All IQ’s were 75 or higher.
Results:
Both the adolescents and their parents reported an increase in having meaningful friendships. Furthermore, they both reported less difficulty with connecting with peers and forming friendships. Adolescents reported a decrease in their insecurity when connecting with peers as well as maintaining friendships. Parent and adolescent worries about the future generally decreased. However, both adolescents and parents reported more worries about the future autonomy of the adolescent. Knowledge increased significantly with a mean of 26 correct answers at T1 to a mean of 34 correct (p<0.001). IQ correlated significantly with the knowledge test results at T1 (p=0.04), but not with the scores at T2 (p=0.20).
Conclusions:
In general, the Tackling Teenage Training seems to generate a positive outcome regarding knowledge, social skills and worries regarding the future as reported by both parents and adolescents. However, some worries about the future increased. Potentially the training also creates more awareness of the adolescent’s shortcomings and putative resulting problems in the future.
See more of: Treatments: A: Social Skills; School, Teachers
See more of: Prevalence, Risk factors & Intervention