Co-designed Psychoeducation for older autistic adults: Multiple case time series (JAN 2021)

Abstract

We examined the effectiveness of a co-designed psychoeducation program for older autistic adults (55+ program), in a multiple case time series study (N=9, age 56-73). For each participant, a person close to them (a proxy) participated as well. This allowed us to calculate a discrepancy score regarding autistic traits and cognitive challenges. The main hypothesis was that the 55+ program, delivered after general psychoeducation, would result in a reduction of the discrepancy observed between self- and proxy reports. However, contrary to our hypothesis, we observed neither intervention effects on our primary outcome measures (aforementioned discrepancy scores) nor the secondary outcome measures (mastery, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-stigmatization, quality of life, and hope and future perspectives). Thus, despite co-designing the current intervention, the results do not seem to be very promising. However, based on the positive feedback and suggestions of the participants developing an improved version of a specific psychoeducation program for older autistic adults seems to be a worthwhile pursuit.