Potencial de aprendizaje y habilidades sociales en escolares con el trastorno de Asperger.

La mayoría de las investigaciones sobre el Trastorno de Asperger (TA) se han centrado en las características definitorias del trastorno mediante procedimientos estandarizados. Sin embargo, se trata de una perspectiva limitada, especialmente en el ámbito de la interacción social. A partir de los resultados positivos obtenidos desde la evaluación del potencial de aprendizaje en otras alteraciones psicológicas, resulta prometedor plantearse aplicaciones similares para el TA. En este estudio se comparó el rendimiento de un grupo de niños con TA (n= 10, entre 11 y 16 años) y un grupo de escolares con desarrollo normal (igualados en edad y sexo) en un test tradicional de inteligencia, una prueba de potencial de aprendizaje y variables sociales como son las habilidades interpersonales, la empatía y la solución de conflictos interpersonales. Los resultados muestran que no existen diferencias entre grupos en potencial de aprendizaje. Por otro lado, se confirman las dificultades en el TA en variables sociales, de forma significativa en la adecuación de las soluciones en los conflictos interpersonales. Se discuten las implicaciones de utilizar la evaluación del potencial de aprendizaje en el ámbito de la socialización para individuos con TA.post-print290 K

Emotional Dysfunction and Interoceptive Challenges in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently show impaired sensory processing in different senses, including the interoceptive system. Recent findings suggest that interoception is a fundamental component of emotional experience and that impaired interoception is associated with alexithymia. This study aims to explore the association and interrelation between interoceptive confusion, alexithymia, and the capacity for emotional regulation among a sample of 33 adults with ASD compared to a control group of 35 adults with neurotypical development and its mutual impact. The participants answered a series of questionnaires addressing these three variables. The results showed (1) significant differences between the groups in all dimensions, with dysfunctional emotional regulation, impaired interoception, and alexithymia in the ASD group, (2) significant correlations between interoceptive confusion, emotional clarity, and alexithymia in the ASD group but only positive correlations between interoceptive confusion and alexithymia in the CG, and (3) that emotional clarity, alexithymia, and autism explain 61% of the variance in interoceptive confusion. These results are in line with previous studies and suggest that training interoceptive ability may enhance emotional clarity and reduce alexithymia among those diagnosed with ASD, with significant implications in the planning of treatment.post-print310 K

Generalization Task for Developing Social Problem-Solving Skills among Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Acknowledgments: We thank the adolescents and adults who participated in this study and the professionals from the following associations who cooperated in the study: Asociación Asperger Madrid, Asociación Asperger Granada, Centro Hans Asperger Sevilla, Asociación Aspeger ASPALI, and Asociación Asperger Valencia. We would like to thank Linda Adeyemo for her participation in the research project. This project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Granada.This study aims to examine the usefulness of an ad hoc worksheet for an Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Program (SCI-Labour) the effectiveness of which was tested by Bonete, Calero, and Fernández-Parra (2015). Data were taken from 44 adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (age M = 19.73; SD = 3.53; 39 men and 5 women; IQ M = 96.27, SD = 15.98), compared to a matched group (in age, sex, and nonverbal IQ) of 48 neurotypical participants. The task was conceived to promote the generalization of interpersonal problem-solving skills by thinking on different possible scenarios in the workplace after the training sessions. The results show lower scores in the worksheet delivered for homework (ESCI-Generalization Task) in the ASD Group compared to neurotypicals in total scores and all domains (Problem Definition, Quality of Causes, and Solution Suitability) prior to program participation. In addition, after treatment, improvement of the ASD Group was observed in the Total Score ESCI-Generalization Task and in the domains of Problem Definition, Quality of Causes, Number or Alternatives and Consequences, Time, and Solution Suitability. This is a valuable task in furthering learning within the SCI-Labour Program and may be a supplementary material in addressing the difficulties of interpersonal skills within this population, both in the workplace and in daily life. In conclusion, this task may provide useful information for identifying key difficulties among this population and could be implemented in a clinical setting as a complement to the SCI-Labour Program.Partially funded by the University of Granada FPU ‘Plan Propio’ grant and the Universidad Francisco de Vitori

Group training in interpersonal problem-solving skills for workplace adaptation of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome. A preliminary study.

Adults with Asperger Syndrome show persistent difficulties in social situations which psychosocial treatments may address. Despite the multiple studies focusing on social skills interventions little have focused specifically on problem-solving skills and have not targeted workplace adaptation training in the adult population. This study describes preliminary data from a group format manual-based intervention, the Interpersonal Problem-Solving for Workplace Adaptation (SCI-Labour) Programme, aimed at improving the cognitive and metacognitive process of social problem-solving skills focusing on typical social situations in the workplace based on mediation as the main strategy. Fifty adults with Asperger syndrome received programme and were compared with a control group of typical development. The feasibility and effectiveness of the treatment were explored. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment and post-treatment on a task of social problem-solving skills and two secondary measures of socialisation and work profile using self- and caregiver-report. Using a variety of methods, the results showed that scores were significantly higher at post-treatment in the social problem-solving task and socialisation skills based on reports by parents. Differences in comparison to the control group had decreased after treatment. The treatment was acceptable to families and subject adherence was high. SCI-Labour Programme appears to be a feasible training programme.pre-print640 K

MAGNITIVE: Effectiveness and Feasibility of a Cognitive Training Program Through Magic Tricks for Children With Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. A Second Clinical Trial in Community Settings.

Previous studies have explored the impact of magic tricks on different basic cognitive processes yet there is a need of examining effectiveness of a cognitive training program through magic tricks for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study examines the effectiveness and feasibility of the MAGNITIVE program, a manualized intervention for cognitive training through the learning of magic tricks. A total of 11 children with ADHD (from 8 to 12 years) participated in separated groups of two different community settings (hospital center and school), and were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a 3-month later follow-up in different tasks involving processing speed, sustained attention, selective attention, and mental flexibility. Using non parametric statistical analyses and Reliable Change Index, the results showed that these children receiving MAGNITIVE particularly improved their performance in sustained attention, shifting attention, and mental flexibility, changes were also observed in processing speed performance yet further research is needed in terms of selective attention and inhibition, given the great individual differences within this sample. Changes were maintained when the program was finished. In terms of viability, the study proved a good treatment integrity in different contexts (hospital and school setting), adherence to the curriculum (attendance and some practice at home), and high levels of engagement satisfaction. In this second clinical trial, MAGNITIVE program appears to be a feasible training program for children with ADHD, as an alternative for medication when possible.pre-print1543 K

Effectiveness of Manualised Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently present a defi cit in interpersonal and social problem solving skills. The Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Programme for Children (SCIChildren) comprises 10 weekly, one hour sessions working on interpersonal abilities from a mediation strategy for training purposes. Method: The fi rst study explores the effectiveness of training through pre- and post-treatment evaluations of a sample of 22 children with ASD (7-13 years of age). The second study replicates the programme with 15 children who were assessed three times (three months before the programme starts, at the beginning of the training and at the end of it). Results: In the fi rst study, signifi cant differences were found in outcome measures (a parent-report subscale of a socialisation measure and child performance on one subscale and total scores of an interpersonal problem-solving skills task). Results in the second study showed no signifi cant changes in absence of the treatment during the waiting period and signifi cant changes after the treatment in the socialisation measure. Conclusions: These fi ndings suggest that the SCI-Children program causes positive impact on the participants. Further evaluation is warranted.post-print320 K

Effects of a training in interpersonal problem-solving skills for young people with Asperger Syndrome

Tesis Univ. Granada. Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológic

Impacto del entrenamiento en habilidades interpersonales para la adaptación laboral en jóvenes con Síndrome de Asperger.

pre-print1.868 K

What does progenitors of people with ASD cope with? Systematic review of risk and prospective factors.

This study reviews the possible sources of stress, and the available sources of support and coping strategies embraced by parents of people with ASD. 42 empirical articles, published between 2008 and 2017 in quality scientific journals, were selected. The review showed that degree of symptoms’ severity and behavioural problems, parental stress, level of family income and future perception appear as the principal risk factors. Protective factors were marital satisfaction, communication skills, positive co-parenting, coping strategies, positive cognitions, hope, self-efficacy and social support. There is a need to create specific groups of care attention to provide tools and enhance the caregivers’ specific strengths and personal skills based on these factors to improve family resilience and quality of life.En este trabajo se revisan las posibles fuentes de estrés, las fuentes de apoyo disponibles y las estrategias de afrontamiento que presentan los padres de personas con TEA. Se seleccionaron 42 artículos empíricos publicados entre 2008 y 2017 en revistas científicas de calidad. La revisión deja de manifiesto que los factores de riesgo principales son la gravedad de los síntomas y los problemas conductuales, el nivel de ingresos familiares, los síntomas de estrés parental y las preocupaciones por el futuro. Los factores de protección que destacan son la satisfacción matrimonial, las habilidades de comunicación, crianza compartida positiva, estrategias de afrontamiento, pensamientos positivos, la esperanza, percepción de auto-eficacia y apoyo social. Se detecta la necesidad de crear grupos específicos de acompañamiento para proveer y enriquecer a los cuidadores de habilidades y fortalezas personales específicas centradas en dichos factores de protección con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad de vida y resiliencia a nivel familiar.pre-print0 K

VIA-7 Method: A seven perceptual parameters methodology for the assessment of visual impact caused by wind and solar facilities on the landscape in cultural heritage sites.

pre-print1122 K