Effects of an Interactive Multimedia Computer Program on the Facial Emotions Processing and Social Adaptation in Adults with ASD - Abstract
This study examined effects of the Interactive Emotional Enhancement Training (IEET) computer-based program on basic emotion recognition and social competence in a group of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (n = 42) with a mean age 32.98 +/- 6.19 years. A preliminary pre-test, post-test randomized control group experimental design was used to measure effects of a 36-week IEET program consisting of 410 activities. The IEET program uses instructional computer-based activities delivered during 144 1-hour sessions (5 hours/week). Results demonstrated that participants who received the intervention improved their emotion recognition skills, as well as their social competence. The current results suggest that the IEET program may represent an efficient and cost-effective strategy for teaching emotion recognition to adults with ASD.