Development of a program to improve the self-management skills for female individuals with autism spectrum disorder

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26381333
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Special needs education
• Research Institution: Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences (2016); Fukushima University (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: KURODA Miho 名古屋学芸大学, ヒューマンケア学部, 教授 (10536212)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 自閉スペクトラム症 / 女性 / 高機能 / 性差 / 心の理論 / 自己マネージメント / 適応行動 / 感情認知

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The main objective of this study was to develop a self-management program for women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To do this, we assessed the characteristics observed in females with ASD, by focusing on gender specific differences in social communication. The study used the advanced the “Theory of Mind” task, alongside many other tools for assessing the symptoms of ASD. The results suggested that male adults with ASD perform mindreading tasks by using their verbal intelligence, whereas females may perform the task using their social communication abilities. Female individuals with ASD appear to use a similar strategy to that used by individuals with typical development. Based on these results, we developed a self-management program for women with ASD. The program taught the participants to be aware of and express their own emotions, and develop the adaptive skills to improve their social abilities.

Free Research Field

発達障害