Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social impairment and circumscribed and repetitive behavior and interests. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group therapy, which was designed to enhance university-related behavior, in Japanese university students with high-functioning ASD, based on their specific social, communication and emotional needs. The participants included 11 students with ASD aged between 19 and 24 (mean 21.0) years. A single-group, pre-post-intervention design was implemented in the study. The Clinical global Impressions-Severity scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory Scale were completed before and after group therapy. The results showed significant post intervention improvements in depressive symptom, anxiety, and self-esteem, indicating that the group therapy was effective for students with ASD.
American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-Ⅳ). Washington DC: APA.
Attwood, T (2005). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Behavior Change, 21, 147-161. https://doi.org/10.1375/bech.21.3.147.55995
Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An Inventory for Measuring Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561-571. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004
Cardaciotto, L., & Herbert, J. D. (2004). Cognitive Behavioe Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in the Context of Asperger’s Syndrome: A Single-Subject Report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11, 75-81.
Chalfant, A. M., Rapee, R., & Carroll, L. (2007). Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Controlled Trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1842-1857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0318-4
Compton, S. N., March, J. S., Brent, D. et al. (2004). Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents: An Evidence Based Medicine Review. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, 930-959. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.chi.0000127589.57468.bf
Eack, M. S., Greenwald, D. P., Hogarty, S. S. et al. (2013). Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of an 18-Month Feasibility Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 2866-2877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1834-7
Gaus, V. L. (2011). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 5, 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281111180628
Gerhardt, P. F., & Lainer, I. (2011). Addressing the Needs of Adolescents and Adults with Autism: A Crisis on the Horizon. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 41, 37-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-010-9160-2
Hare, D. J. (1997). The Use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with People with Asperger Syndrome: A Case Study. Autism, 1, 215-225. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361397012007
Hesselmark, E., Plenty, S., & Bejerot, S. (2014). Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Group Recreational Activity for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial. Autism, 18, 672-683. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313493681
Howlin, P., Goode, S., & Rutter, M. (2004). Adult Outcome for Children with Autism. Journal of Child and Psychiatry, 45, 212-229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00215.x
Hughes, C., Russell, J., & Robbins, T. W. (1994). Evidence for Executive Dysfunction in Autism. Neuropsychologia, 32, 477-492.
James, A., Soler, A., & Weatherall, R. (2005). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, No. 4, Article No: CD004690. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004690.pub2
Jennes-Coussens, M., Magill-Evans, J., & Koning, C. (2006). The Quality of Life of Young Men with Asperger Syndrome: A Brief Report. Autism, 10, 403-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361306064432
Julian, L. J. (2011). Measures of Anxiety: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A). Arthritis Care & Research, 63, S467-S472. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.20561
Klein, A., Pauls, R., Schultz, R. et al. (2005). Three Diagnostic Approaches to Asperger Syndrome: Implications for Research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35, 221-234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-004-2001-y
McGillivray, J. A., & Evert, H. T. (2014). Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Shows Potential in Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Stress among Young People with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 2041-2051. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2087-9
Minshew, N. J., & Hobson, J. A. (2008). Sensory Sensitivities and Performance on Sensory Perceptual Tasks in High-Functioning Individuals with Autism. Journal Autism Developmental Disorders, 38, 1485-1498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0528-4
Ozonoff, S., Strayer, D. L., McMahon, W. M. et al. (1994). Executive Function Abilities in Autism and Tourette Syndrome: An Information Processing Approach. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 35, 1015-1032. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1994.tb01807.x
Pinna, F., Deriu, L., Diana, E., Perra, V., Randaccio, R. P., Sanna, L., Tusconi, M., Carpiniello, B., & Cagliari Recovery Study Group (2015). Clinical Global Impression-Severity Score as a Reliable Measure for Routine Evaluation of Remission in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders. Annals of General Psychiatry, 14, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-015-0042-6
Pugliese, C. E., & White, S. W. (2014). Brief Report: Problem Solving Therapy in College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 719-729. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1914-8
Reaven, J., Blakeley-Smith, A., Culhane-Shelburne, K. et al. (2012). Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety: A Randomized Trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 410-419. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02486.x
Rosenberg, M. (1962). The Association between Self-Esteem and Anxiety. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 1, 135-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(62)90004-3
Russell, A. J., Jassi, A., Fullana, M. A. et al. (2013). Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Comorbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trail. Depression and Anxiety, 30, 697-708. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22053
Sofronoff, K., Attwood, T., & Hinton, S. (2005). A Randomized Controlled Trial of a CBT Intervention for Anxiety in Children with Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46, 1152-1160. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.00411.x
Tarrier, N., & Wykes, T. (2004). Is There Evidence That Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Is an Effective Treatment for Schizophrenia? A Cautions or Cautionary Tale? Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42, 1377-1401.
Weiss, J. A., & Lunsky, Y. (2010). Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adults with Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety or Mood Disorder: A Case Series. Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, 17, 438-446. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.694
Williams, J. H., Waiter, G. D., Gilchrist, A. et al. (2006). Neural Mechanisms of Imitation and “Mirror Neuron” Functioning in Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychologia, 44, 610-621.
Wood, J. J., Drahola, A., Sze, K. et al. (2009). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trail. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50, 224-234. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01948.x