Preliminary feasibility testing of a planning focused CBT for adolescents with an ASD diagnosis: Suggestions for intervention adaptations to meet needs of autistic teens

Adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis (ASD) show executive functioning (EF) difficulties that are crucial to succeed in secondary school, but evidence-based EF interventions are lacking. However, for adolescents with an ADHD diagnosis such an intervention was developed, called Plan My Life (PML), which focused on enhancement of planning skills and in which motivational interviewing was integrated. We explored the applicability of PML in a sample of 12 adolescents with ASD (12-17 years). Pre- to post intervention parent-reported data were collected on EF problems, planning problems, and ASD characteristics. Also, qualitative analyses were conducted on therapist evaluations to investigate whether PML in its present form is suitable for adolescents with ASD and how the PML should be adjusted to better serve their needs. Reliable Change Indices showed that in general adolescents with ASD did not improve, suggesting that in its current form PML is not suitable for adolescents with ASD. However, attrition was low (N = 1), adolescents and parents evaluated PML positively, and a feasible list of therapist recommendations was formulated for adjustment of PML to the needs of this particular group. These recommendations seem specific to autistic teens and may be applicable to other non-pharmacological interventions that will be developed for teens with ASD to improve their care and outcomes.