Brief Report: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Individual Mindfulness Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.


Author: Conner CM1,2, White SW3

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 109 Williams Hall (0436), 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. cconner4@vt.edu.

<sup>2</sup>Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Webster Hall Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. cconner4@vt.edu.

<sup>3</sup>Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 109 Williams Hall (0436), 890 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Autism Dev Disord.
Date published: 2017 Sep 18
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3312-0. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 134  
    Intervention research on adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is sparse. Many adults with ASD experience impaired emotion regulation (ER), which is thought to contribute to higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities among adults with ASD and indirect effects upon adaptive functioning, interpersonal relationships, and vocational status. The purpose of this study was to investigate feasibility and initial efficacy of an adapted mindfulness-based individual therapy targeting ER difficulties for adults with ASD. There is evidence for feasibility based on acceptable treatment fidelity and participant satisfaction ratings. Of nine participants, seven demonstrated improvement in at least one of the following domains; impulse control, access to ER strategies, and emotional acceptance. Further research is recommended, including additional timepoints and a clinical cutoff-derived sample.



KEYWORDS: Adult; Autism spectrum disorder; Emotion regulation; Mindfulness



PMID: 28921306  DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3312-0