Internet-delivered psychoeducation for older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (SCOPE): An open feasibility study

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity regarding interventions in general, and especially internet-delivered treatment options, for adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), despite the group´s capacity and willingness to utilize computer-mediated communication. This open feasibility study evaluated the new internet-delivered, psychoeducational intervention, SCOPE (Spectrum COmputerized PsychoEducation), for adolescents and young adults aged 16–25 years with ASD in the normative IQ range. Method: The participation in SCOPE was facilitated by weekly contacts with disability service professionals (trained coaches) and the intervention consisted of eight ASD-themed modules. In an open feasibility study we evaluated treatment completion, treatment credibility and satisfaction, as well as preliminary efficacy. We assessed feasibility in an outpatient disability services context, regarding both participants’ and coaches’ experiences. Results: Twenty-three out of the 29 included participants (79%) completed the intervention. The participants’ experience of treatment credibility was increased during the SCOPE web course and the overall satisfaction with the treatment was high. The coaches reported high treatment credibility and good clinical feasibility of the internet-based delivered intervention. The participants’ knowledge of ASD increased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention. The increased knowledge of ASD was not associated with negative effects on psychological well-being. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the internet-delivered psychoeducational intervention SCOPE is a feasible intervention and could contribute to youth's sense of empowerment through increased knowledge of ASD and themselves. An ongoing randomized controlled study will generate further evidence concerning the SCOPE intervention.