Personzentrierte Gruppenpsychotherapie für Jugendliche mit Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen – das KOMPASS-Training

Abstract

Person-Centred Group Psychotherapy for Adolescents with Autism-Spectrum-Disorders — the KOMPASS Training. In the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Zurich the person-centred approach was applied to group-settings for children with different psychiatric disorders, and the treatments were evaluated. Due to the lack of specific literature on group-intervention for adolescents with autism-spectrum-disorders the therapists developed their own therapeutic procedure based on the person-centred approach incorporating specific characteristics of autistic adolescents, the Social Skills Group-Training for adolescents with Autism-Spectrum-Disorder (KOMPASS). Practical procedures are described through the KOMPASS modules ‘emotions’ and ‘small talk’ as examples to present two different therapeutic strategies. Until now four group–trainings have been evaluated. 28 girls and boys at the age of 12 –18 with Asperger Syndrome or atypical autism were included in the study and compared to a waiting-control-group (n = 19). Preliminary results indicate the benefits of the group intervention with moderate to high effect-sizes. Parents and teachers report a significant decline in autistic symptoms and an increase in social skills.