Development of Self-regulation by Dialectial Behavioural Therapy in Adults With Autism

Launched by RADBOUD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Aug 15, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at risk to develop more pervasive emotion-dysregulation and in conjunction with that they also show more maladaptive coping compared to non-autistic people. Sensory differences and impaired interoceptive body-awareness may influence emotion-dysregulation. Maladaptive coping is reflected by a variety of harmful behaviours, particularly strong social avoidance, rumination, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, disordered eating, substance abuse, agitation, non-suicidal-self-injury (NSSI), and suicidal ideation and behaviour. For a part of these ind...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• The inclusion criteria to enroll in the study are the same as the inclusion criteria for integrative DBT. Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years old.
• • A clinical diagnosis of ASD as diagnosed by a qualified health care professional (in Dutch: BIG registration).
• • Non-responding to TAU (treatment as usual) for at least a year.
• • IQ ≥ 85, based upon previous levels of education or previous IQ test, when available.
• • Consent from the participant to record the DBT sessions on video or audio for supervision and assessing therapy integrity.
• • Proficient in the Dutch language.
• • Motivation to address problems through integrative DBT.
• • Ability to work on treatment goals in collaboration with multiple therapists and counselors and to function in a group of maximal 8 adults with ASD.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • - Severe, current psychotic and manic symptoms, severe substance abuse disorder and eating disorder, requiring other specialized treatment first.