Psychosocial Interventions Targeting Social Functioning in Adults on the Autism Spectrum: a Literature Review
Open accessAbstract
Purpose of review There is a perceived shortage of evidence-based treatment programs for adults on the autism spectrum. This article reviews the recent research literature on psychosocial/behavioral interventions targeting social functioning in autistic adults without intellectual disability.Recent findings We identified only 41 peer-reviewed studies published from 1980 to 2017 that tested intervention programs focused on one or more of the behavioral components of social functioning (i.e., social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, and social skills) in more than one adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The studies demonstrated substantial variability in treatment objectives, intervention procedures, assessment methods, and methodologic quality. The results indicate a strong need for additional research to develop and rigorously test interventions for autistic adults that target the many behavioral components of social functioning and that include procedures to promote generalization of knowledge and skills to community settings.
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Both risperidone and aripiprazole are associated with adverse events including sedation, risk of movement disorders and weight gain, which limit their use to people with severe irritability with agitation.
“However, both treatments are associated with adverse events, including sedation, risk of movement disorders and weight gain, which limit their use to people with severe irritability with agitation 202 .”
From Autism spectrum disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [202]
The Results sections discuss psychosocial interventions and their methodological quality, not the adverse effects of risperidone or aripiprazole. Searches for both drugs, sedation, movement disorders, weight gain, and severe irritability with agitation found no passage addressing the claim. Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRisperidone and aripiprazole are approved in the USA to treat irritability and agitation including aggression, self-injury and tantrums in children and adolescents with ASD.
“Risperidone and aripiprazole (both of which are atypical antipsychotics) are approved in the USA to treat irritability and agitation -including aggression, self-injury and tantrums -in children and adolescents with ASD 200 -202 .”
From Autism spectrum disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [202]
The Results and Conclusions discuss psychosocial interventions for social functioning in autistic adults, not medication approvals for children or adolescents. Searches for risperidone, aripiprazole, antipsychotics, and FDA approval found no passage addressing the claimed approval or indications. (LLM, conf=0.75)
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References 53 · Cited by 56
Research works printed but not linked: 13
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- Authors
- Pallathra, A. A., Cordero, L., Wong, K., & Brodkin, E. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Corresponding author
- Brodkin, Edward S.
- Venue
- Current Psychiatry Reports
- Published
- 2019-01
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-5
- ISSN
- 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
- 1535-1645
- PMC
- PMC6666386
- OpenAlex
- W2912577220
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7
- FWCI
- 3.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R34MH104407)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, autistic adults, psychosocial interventions, social functioning, social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, social skills, behavioral interventions, skill generalization, evidence-based treatment
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adult, Anxiety, Behavior Therapy, Humans, Social Behavior, Social Skills
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