Prevalence of suspected developmental coordination disorder and associated factors in Spanish classrooms

BackgroundDevelopmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a multifactorial, neurodevelopmental motor disorder that severely affects the activities of a child’s daily life and classroom performance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of suspected DCD in a sample of Spanish schoolchildren and its association with socio-demographic factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study including a random sample of 460 children attending mainstream schools in northwest Spain in 2017. A Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire-European Spanish was used to evaluate suspected DCD prevalence. We performed multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis to determine the socio-demographic variables associated with suspected DCD and problematic motor coordination performance.ResultsThe prevalence of suspected DCD was 12.2%. According to the multivariate analysis, DCD symptoms were significantly associated with males (OR = 3.0), ages above 10 years old (OR = 5.0) and low participation in out-of-school physical activities (OR = 2.3). Preterm birth children were twice as likely to show suspected DCD, although this association was not statistically significant (OR = 2.1).ConclusionsA high percentage of Spanish schoolchildren are at risk for developing DCD. There is a strong connection between suspected DCD and socio-demographic factors. Protocols aimed to detect DCD and intervention programmes in classrooms designed to promote motor coordination skills need to take these factors into consideration.     

Comparing the effectiveness of virtual reality and video modelling as an intervention strategy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Brief report

ABSTRACT

The increasing numbers of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has foreshadowed a greater need for effective intervention procedures to aid learning.

Purpose: This study compared the effectiveness of video modelling (VM) and virtual reality (VR) for teaching adults with ASD.

Methods: Using an alternating treatments design without baseline two participants completed paper folding projects of varying difficulty following exposure to either VM or VR task modelling. The rate of learning (ROL) determined treatment effectiveness.

Results: One participant reached mastery criterion for the intermediate project on the 5th trial with both VR and VM (i.e. equal ROL). The other achieved mastery by the 6th trial of VM, but did not attain mastery in VR. Both participants reported enjoying both procedures.

Conclusions: The results suggest that VM was more effective than VR in facilitating learning. Implications for future research are discussed.     

A dance program to improve gait and balance in individuals with chronic stroke: a feasibility study

Background and Objective Despite gains made with rehabilitation, gait and balance remain limited post-stroke. Dance is a fun and motivating activity which has shown benefits in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this article is to investigate the feasibility of a dance program for individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods Pre-post intervention feasibility study where twenty individuals with chronic stroke participated in a dance class twice a week for 10 weeks. Feasibility measures included interest, enrollment, attendance, adverse events, and participant satisfaction. Outcomes of interest were spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance assessed with the MiniBESTest before and after the dance program. Pre and post measures were compared with paired t-tests.

Results Of the 33 individuals approached, 30 (90.9%) were interested in participating; however, scheduling conflicts were a common barrier. Ultimately, 22 individuals consented and 20 individuals completed the dance program without adverse events. The mean age was 62.3 (10.4) years, time post-stroke was 6.4 (6.0) years and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 3.1 (2.0). Average attendance was 92.5% with 10 classes missed across 8 participants and satisfaction ratings were high (e.g. 17/20 strongly agreed they enjoyed the program). No significant differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters were found; however, MiniBESTest scores significantly increased from 16.5 (6.0) to 18.6 (4.9) (p = 0.0005).

Discussion and Conclusions A dance program is safe and feasible post-stroke. Attendance and satisfaction were high and participants perceived walking and balance benefits. Future work will include a randomized controlled trial.     

Challenges encountered with a mindfulness app: Lessons learnt from a pilot randomized trial involving caregivers and individuals with autism

BackgroundWe undertook a trial to examine the feasibility of a self-guided mindfulness app, Smiling Mind, for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their parents. The trial encountered problems in recruitment, enrollment and retention which are described here.Methods: Of 169 eligible participants, only 22 consented and were randomly assigned to Smiling Mind (n = 12) or an attention control condition (n = 10). A further six participants withdrew during the study. Barriers to trial participation were subsequently explored through semi-structured interviews, to form case studies, and a follow-up survey.ResultsInterview and survey data highlighted parents’ competing time commitments as a key barrier to participation. For children and adults with ASD, distraction and boredom were major challenges to engagement.ConclusionsA number of modifiable variables in our recruitment procedures and intervention design ultimately resulted in a sample size that was too small to draw any firm conclusions from. Future ASD research can maximize sampling by broadening recruitment strategies and partnering with community services and schools. Engagement in mindfulness could also be improved by incorporating regular communication to motivate time poor participants.     

Using a motion-tracking device to facilitate motion control in children with ASD for neuroimaging

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Conducting neurological scans of children with disabilities is difficult because participants exhibit excessive motion. We examined whether a motion-tracking system that combined real-time visual feedback with positive reinforcement and shaping could facilitate motion control in two children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: Using a modified changing criterion design, we evaluated whether the intervention could facilitate decreases in the participants’ range of motion and increases in duration of motion control in a mock scanner.

Results: Participants restricted head motion to increasingly smaller distance windows for 2 min. Once participants limited head displacement to 3 mm for 2 min, duration of motion control increased to a range of 7–20 min. Summary-level data from the actual scan suggests increases in motion control generalized outside of the intervention context.

Conclusion: This study adds to the limited research on the use of behavioral interventions to increase motion control for neuroimaging in children with disabilities.     

A psychosocial intervention for stroke survivors and carers: 12–month outcomes of a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: Stroke can have a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of stroke survivors and their carers. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel psychosocial intervention designed to improve health outcomes in both groups.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a personalized psychosocial intervention (eight 1-hour weekly sessions plus one booster) compared to usual care for adult stroke survivors and carers. Participants recruited from hospital services and community referrals completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary outcomes were quality of life and self-efficacy; secondary outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms, coping, illness perception, work and social adjustment, carer strain, and carer satisfaction. Mixed-effect model repeated measures analysis between groups and across time was conducted.

Results: Of the 173 participants recruited (89 stroke survivors; 84 carers), a total of 137 participants – 73 stroke survivors (intervention n = 42; usual care n = 31) and 64 carers (intervention n = 35; usual care n = 29) – underwent analysis up to 12 months. No statistically significant differences were found in the primary outcomes between groups over time, though a significant improvement in carer satisfaction was found at 6 months in the intervention group compared to the usual care group.

Conclusion: A personalized psychosocial intervention resulted in a significant improvement in carer satisfaction at 6 months but in no other outcomes. A lack of available services and barriers to social engagement may have impeded the effectiveness of this intervention.     

Family-directed cognitive adaptation pilot: Teaching cognitive adaptation to families of individuals with schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

Cognitive deficits are a major determinant of functional outcome in schizophrenia. A promising treatment involves teaching individuals to use cognitive adaptation strategies to minimize the functional impact of cognitive difficulties. We developed Family-Directed Cognitive Adaptation (FCA) to train caregivers to help their relatives with schizophrenia use cognitive adaptations to improve living skills. The goal of this open pilot trial was to examine the feasibility of FCA. Ten adults with schizophrenia, each with at least one relative, participated in FCA and were evaluated at baseline, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. Domains assessed included adaptive functioning, psychiatric symptoms, school/work involvement, hospitalizations, family burden, and treatment satisfaction. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with FCA, and all families completed the 16-session intervention. Relatives reported reduced burden at termination and follow-up. No participants were hospitalized during the treatment or follow-up period, and rates of work/school involvement increased from 30% at baseline to 50% at the end of treatment and follow-up. Individuals improved in negative symptoms and adaptive functioning over the course of treatment, but these gains were not maintained. This pilot provides preliminary support for the acceptability and feasibility of FCA and points to the need to address the maintenance of treatment gains after termination.     

A creative reminiscence program for older adults with severe mental disorders: Results of a pilot evaluation

Objective: Older adults with severe mental disorders experience major dissatisfaction with conditions of life that are connected with aging. To assist them in developing a coherent, meaningful life-story and to improve their life satisfaction, we conducted a pilot evaluation of a creative reminiscence program called Searching for meaning in life.

Methods: One week before and one week after the intervention 36 participants from three psychiatric hospitals and one sheltered housing program were interviewed. Life satisfaction was measured with the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Moral Scale (PGCMS). At follow-up questions were also asked about the intervention.

Results: About 78% of the participants completed the course. Most of them were satisfied with the course (74%). The overall sample showed significantly more life satisfaction after the intervention. Participants with a psychotic disorder also improved significantly in life satisfaction but at the same time their depressive symptoms increased significantly. Participants with a moderate to high level of depressive symptoms at baseline had relatively favorable outcomes. Their life satisfaction had improved significantly and they especially had a better attitude toward their aging.

Conclusion: The program is feasible and acceptable for adults with severe mental illness and it has potential benefits for them. More research is needed to find out what explains the increase of depressive symptoms for participants with psychotic disorders.     

Associations between satisfaction with life,burnout-related emotional and physical exhaustion,and sleep complaints

Abstract

Objectives. Burnout is a state of work-related emotional and physical exhaustion. Burnout is related to sleep complaints. By contrast, people with optimistic attitude seem to be less vulnerable to stress and burnout. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating the relation between burnout, depressive symptoms, satisfaction with life, and sleep complaints. Methods. A total of 2231 participants (age [years]: M=40.8; 1183 females and 1048 males) took part in the study. Participants completed a series of questionnaires such as the Tedium Measure, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Satisfaction with Life-questionnaire. For statistical analyses, a Structural Equation Model (SEM) was applied. Results. Pessimism, emotional and physical exhaustion, depressive symptoms, and low satisfaction with life were interrelated. Emotional and physical exhaustion was related to sleep complaints, whereas sleep complaints were not related to depressive symptoms and pessimism. Satisfaction with life was related to low sleep complaints, though mediated via low emotional and physical exhaustion, and low pessimism. Conclusions. Results suggest that among burnout symptoms emotional and physical exhaustion, but not depressive symptoms, are related to sleep complaints. Satisfaction with life, via low emotional and physical exhaustion, and low pessimism, further contributes to favourable sleep.     

What a difference a year makes: comparing relationships between stressful life events,mood and life satisfaction among older adults,and their working-age counterparts

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Stressful life events (SLEs) have been linked to depression, anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction. The inoculation hypothesis of aging suggests older adults may be less vulnerable to poor psychological outcomes following SLEs than working-age adults. The current study compared relationships between SLEs, mood and life satisfaction among older adults (65+), and adults aged 50–64, and investigated whether group identification and loneliness moderate these relationships.

Method: A community-based sample of 121 Scottish participants responded to measures of SLEs (modified Social Readjustment Rating Scale), symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), life satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Index A), group identification (Group Identification Scale), and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale).

Results: In the 50–64 age group, the number of SLEs was significantly associated with greater symptoms of depression and anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction. Group identification and loneliness did not moderate these relationships. There were no significant relationships in the older adult group.

Conclusion: The finding of relationships in working-age, but not older adults, supports the inoculation hypothesis of aging. Further research to better understand changes across the lifespan, and inter-relationships with related variables, would be valuable from both theoretical and clinical perspectives.     

A treatment comparison study of a photo activity schedule and Social Stories for teaching social skills to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: brief report

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two procedures, a photo activity schedule intervention and Social Stories, to teach social skills to four children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Methods: An adapted alternating treatments design with an additional multiple baseline control was used, and two social skills were targeted for each of the four participants, one under each intervention condition.

Results: Results indicated that all four participants learned the target social behaviours with the photo activity schedule intervention, but did not learn target social behaviours with Social Stories.

Conclusions: Findings support the use of a photo activity intervention for teaching social skillsto children with ASD; we discuss the implications of inconsistent findings of effectiveness of Social Stories.     

Promoting physical activity after stroke via self-management: a feasibility study

Background: Many people with mild disability after stroke are physically inactive despite the risk of recurrent stroke. A self-management program may be one strategy to increase physical activity in stroke survivors.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of a self-management program, and determine whether self-management can increase daily physical activity levels and self-efficacy for exercise, decrease cardiovascular risk, and improve walking ability, participation, and quality of life in people with mild disability after stroke.

Method: A Phase I, single-group, pre-post intervention study was carried out with twenty stroke survivors who had mild disability and were discharged directly home from acute stroke units. A self-management program was delivered via five home-based sessions over 3 months, incorporating: education, goal setting, barrier identification, self-monitoring, and feedback. Feasibility of the intervention was determined by examining adherence, duration, usefulness, and safety. Clinical outcomes were amount of physical activity (duration of moderate physical activity in min/day and counts of physical activity in steps/day), self-efficacy, cardiovascular risk, walking ability, participation, and quality of life.

Results: The intervention was feasible with 96% of sessions being delivered, each taking less than an hour (41 min, SD 12). Participants perceived the self-management program to be useful and there were few adverse events. At 3 months, participants completed 27 min/day (95% CI 4–49) more moderate physical activity than at baseline and 16 min/day (95% CI ?10 to 42) at 6 months.

Conclusion: Self-management appears to be feasible and has the potential to increase physical activity in people with mild disability after stroke. A Phase II randomized trial is warranted.     

An Emotion Regulation Tablet App for Middle-Aged and Older Adults at High Suicide Risk: Feasibility,Acceptability, and Two Case Studies

ObjectiveThe unique features of technological applications may improve the treatment of people at risk of suicide. In this article, we present feasibility and acceptability data as well as two case studies demonstrating the use of WellPATH, a tablet app that aims to help suicidal patients during emotionally-charged situations outside of therapy sessions. The WellPATH app was part of a 12-week psychotherapy intervention (CRISP – Cognitive Reappraisal Intervention for Suicide Prevention) for middle-aged and older adults after their discharge from a suicide-related hospitalization.DesignThe use of WellPATH includes three stages: preparation and practice, incorporation, and actual use.MeasurementsFeasibility was measured by the overall use of WellPATH during 12 weeks, and acceptability was measured with the three items of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.ResultsTwelve study participants were administered WellPATH as part of CRISP. The results provide preliminary evidence of feasibility and acceptability of WellPATH. Study participants and therapists reported high satisfaction with WellPATH and provided feedback for future research and development. The patients in the case studies reported a reduction in negative emotions and an increase in emotion regulation (i.e., cognitive reappraisal ability) after using techniques on the WellPATH app.ConclusionOur preliminary findings suggest that use of technology applications such as the WellPATH app is feasible and accepted among middle-aged and older adults at high suicide risk. Further research with an adequately powered sample is needed to further evaluate WellPATH's feasibility and accessibility, and test its efficacy with this high-risk population.     

Delivering solid treatments on shaky ground: Feasibility study of an online therapy for child anxiety in the aftermath of a natural disaster

Objective: To assess feasibility of online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents with anxiety in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Method: 42 children and adolescents with clinical anxiety referred from primary care were invited to complete an internet CBT program (BRAVE-ONLINE). Outcome measures and assessment timelines were chosen to allow a comparison of the results with the program developers’ randomised controlled trials. Results: At 6-month post intervention, more than half (55%) of the 33 participants assessed, no longer met criteria for their primary anxiety disorder. The mean number of anxiety diagnoses dropped from 2.76 (SD?=?0.85) at baseline to 1.06 (SD?=?1.25) at follow-up (z?=??4.51, p?Conclusions: Following a natural disaster (the Canterbury earthquakes), children and adolescents showed clinically significant improvement in anxiety and mood when they used BRAVE-ONLINE. This approach was both feasible and acceptable to families and offered a solution when mental health services were under pressure.     

Development of a movement questionnaire adapted for Japanese culture for elementary school children

AimsCurrent tools to evaluate Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) symptoms are not adapted to Japanese cultural and educational contexts. We aimed to develop a new tool, the Developmental Coordination Disorder Checklist (DCDC), that can be applied specifically to elementary school–aged children in Japan, by generating a list of culturally relevant items.MethodsWe designed an 18-item questionnaire that was distributed to parents and teachers of elementary school–aged children. The degree of negative influence on a child’s life from their motor ability was estimated using a visual analogue scale (VAS).ResultsWe analyzed the responses from parents/guardians (n = 1174) and teachers (n = 688) of elementary school children (age range: 75–147 months, 1st–6th grades). An exploratory analysis showed that the DCD items could be divided into three factors: fine motor, gross motor, and catch and throw. Internal consistency reliabilities of each factor and of total DCDC were sufficiently high (all coefficients of Cronbach’s alpha: > 0.75). Inter-rater reliability between parent/guardian and teacher was moderate in each sub-score and total DCDC score. Parents/guardians evaluated the degree of difficulty in the fine motor factor more severely than teachers. Total DCDC score was correlated significantly with VAS value (r = 0.545), with each factor in DCDC proving useful in predicting negative impact on daily life.ConclusionsDCDC is an efficient and culturally relevant assessment tool for DCD symptoms within Japan, particularly for measuring any practical deficits in daily life activities.     

Precious memories: a randomized controlled trial on the effects of an autobiographical memory intervention delivered by trained volunteers in residential care homes

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study assesses the effects of an autobiographical memory intervention on the prevention and reduction of depressive symptoms in older persons in residential care. Trained volunteers delivered the intervention.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with depressive symptoms as the primary outcome. The experimental condition received the intervention Precious Memories one-on-one, whereas the control condition had individual unstructured contacts with a volunteer. Participants were 86 older persons living in residential care. There were three measurements: pre-intervention, post-intervention (2 months after the first measurement), and follow-up (8 months after the first measurement). Besides depressive symptoms, the retrieval of specific positive memories was measured as a process variable. Anxiety, loneliness, well-being, and mastery were assessed as secondary outcomes.

Results: Depressive symptoms improved equally in the intervention and the control condition at post-measurement. Participants with clinically relevant depressive symptoms also maintained the effects at follow-up in both conditions. The retrieval of specific positive memories improved more in the autobiographical memory intervention, although this was not maintained at follow-up. Anxiety and loneliness improved equally well in both conditions, but no effects were found for well-being or mastery.

Conclusion: It is concluded that volunteers can deliver the intervention and contribute to the mental health of this highly vulnerable group of older adults.     

The design and implementation of a CBT-based intervention for sensory processing difficulties in adolescents on the autism spectrum

BackgroundUnusual reactions to sensory input now form part of the diagnostic criteria for autism. These features are common and can have an often-devastating impact on autistic individuals and their families. Yet there are few validated interventions that help to remediate or support autistic individuals’ adverse sensory experiences. To date, both measurement of sensory experiences and the resulting interventions have been based on assumptions of neurological sensitivities and largely ignored the role of cognition. This study therefore sought to assess the feasibility of a new 8-week CBT-based group intervention for self-regulation of sensory processing difficulties.MethodSeven cognitively able adolescents diagnosed with autism aged 11–16 years from one mainstream secondary school received the 8-week intervention. Measures of sensory reactivity, anxiety and repetitive behaviours were taken at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up, 8 weeks after the intervention had ceased. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were also conducted with adolescents and their parents to examine further the acceptability of the intervention.ResultsThe results showed that the intervention itself was feasible – both in its implementation and its acceptability to participants. Qualitative analysis clearly showed that the intervention was effective in raising meta-conscious awareness and self-regulation in these autistic adolescents. Analysis of outcome variables showed no significant change over the intervention period, although effect sizes were moderate-to-large.ConclusionsThese preliminary results are encouraging and should inform the design of a future pilot randomized controlled trial to test its efficacy with a larger group of participants.     

A preliminary study on the effect of methylphenidate on motor performance in children with comorbid DCD and ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are two developmental disorders with considerable comorbidity. The impact of Methylphenidate (MPH) on ADHD symptoms is well documented. However, the effects of MPH on motor coordination are less studied. We assessed the influence of MPH on motor performance of children with comorbid DCD and ADHD. Participants were 18 children (13 boys, mean age 8.3 years) diagnosed with comorbid DCD and ADHD. A structured clinical interview (K-SADS-PL) was used to determine psychopathology and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Checklist were used to determine criterion for motor deficits. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) was administrated to all participants once under the influence of MPH and once under a placebo pill condition. The motor tests were administered on two separate days in a double-blinded design. Participants’ motor performance with MPH was significantly superior to their performance in the placebo condition. Significant improvement was observed in all the M-ABC sub-tasks except for static balance performance. The findings suggest that MPH improves motor coordination in children with comorbid DCD and ADHD but clinically significant improvement was found in only 33% of the children.     

Portable eyetracking-based assessment of memory decline

Introduction: Preferential viewing of novel stimuli in the Visual Paired Comparison task has provided a useful marker of memory and medial temporal lobe function. We created a portable version of the VPC (P-VPC) and contrasted P-VPC metrics against the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in healthy adults, to assess the validity and reliability of the P-VPC as an indicator of memory function across age. A supplementary case series was conducted with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias, to provide a preliminary illustration of the P-VPC’s use as a measure in clinical populations.

Method: Participants (n = 207) were tested using the P-VPC. Individuals were familiarized with a set of objects, which were each presented alongside a novel object in the test phase. Novelty viewing scores were compared to MoCA scores to index concurrent validity. Item analyses were conducted as a test of internal reliability of the P-VPC. A complementary clinical case series was conducted with AD (n = 4) and dementia (n = 5) participants, who were tested using the P-VPC and further compared to healthy age-matched participants.

Results: Preferential viewing decreased with age in healthy participants, and was positively correlated with MoCA scores. Compared to the MoCA, P-VPC scores did not differ based on education and/or whether English was spoken as the native language. Item analyses revealed acceptable internal consistency. P-VPC viewing percentiles of healthy participants were modeled as a function of age, and illustrated that individuals of the clinical case series diagnosed with AD scored in below-average percentiles, while those with dementia did not score below-average.

Conclusion: Good concurrent validity and acceptable internal reliability were observed, and P-VPC scores were not confounded by education or language experience. Low performance was observed in individuals with clinically diagnosed AD, suggesting that the P-VPC may be a potential tool for screening memory decline.     

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

BackgroundThere 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.MethodThe 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.ResultsTwenty-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.ConclusionsOur 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.