Impact of Comorbid ADHD on Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) in ASD: Examination of Group Differences and the Benefits of Interventions

INTERVENTION: Group 1: Treatment as usual (TAU) Group 2: SCOTT&EVA is a software‐based training program for the recognition of 40 different emotions from facial expressions, tone of voice, and comple Xsocial situations. In addition, the platform provides detailed information about the emotions used. The level of difficulty is adapted to each study participant via the so‐called ELO system. The training lasts for four months, during which participants train from home via the internet for at least two hours per week (a total of at least 32 hours). In the four‐month follow‐up period, a refresh session of at least 30 minutes is completed once a month. Group 3: In the FASTER group therapy, various topics specifically tailored to autism are addressed: specific stress management (irritability, sensory overload, mindfulness, self‐regulation), emotions and alexithymia, nonverbal and verbal communication, social motivation and interaction, introduction to a communication model for better understanding of reciprocal communication, perspective‐taking, as well as fundamental social interactions in conversational situations. The therapy lasts four months and consists of 16 two‐hour sessions. In the four‐month follow‐up period, a two‐hour refresh session takes place each month, which summarizes content from the 16 sessions. CONDITION: Asperger syndrome Atypical autism Autism‐Spectrum‐Disorder: F84.0, F84.1, F84.5 ; F84.0 ; F84.1 ; F84.5 Childhood autism PRIMARY OUTCOME: GAF external assessment, change four months after randomization or after the sixteen four‐month therapy sessions SECONDARY OUTCOME: (1a) Difference in the total score change of the SRS‐A, other‐ and self‐assessment ; (1b) Difference in the change of the external and self‐description in the five subscales of the SRS‐A ; (1c) Difference in the change of the modified SRS‐A for the total score and the five subscales for both external and self‐description ; (2) General psychiatric well‐being [ Depression: BDI‐II, social anxiety and deficits in social skills: SASKO] INCLUSION CRITERIA: (+) ASD (ICD‐10: F84.0, F84.5 or F84.1 (provided DSM criterion A, social communication and social interaction, is met) (+) Age between 18 and 65 (+) IQ of at least 80 (+) Relevant psychosocial difficulties (global functioning level (GAF) score = 60) (+) Fluent German language skills of the study participants and parents/partners/other close persons, so that they can complete the questionnaire and understand the instructions (+) Ability of the study participants to understand the nature and individual consequences of the clinical study (+) Signed informed consent (+) Sufficient ability to communicate in groups (+) Reading and writing without significant impairment (+) No or stable psychopharmacological treatment (+) Presence of a person who can complete the informant questionnaire SRS‐A (parent/partner/other close person)