J Consult Clin Psychol. 2026 Mar;94(3):159-172. doi: 10.1037/ccp0001003.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The vast majority of autistic adults experience challenges related to co-occurring mental health problems, social cognition, postsecondary education or competitive employment, and other concerns. Services to address these challenges have been identified as a priority for research. This review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine the clinical impact of interventions for a wide range of concerns for autistic adults.
METHOD: We conducted a preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting social cognition, mental health, and academic- and transition-related outcomes for autistic adults. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were eligible for inclusion, while single-case and pre-post designs were excluded. We extracted data on participant and intervention characteristics, primary outcome data in 10 domains (e.g., mental health, social cognition), and risk of bias.
RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were included (N = 1,631 total participants). Random-effects meta-analyses using robust variance estimation revealed significant small to moderate pooled effect sizes for mental health (k = 16, g = .35, 95% CI [0.19, 0.51], I2 = 18.13%), social cognition (k = 16, g = .45, 95% CI [0.17, 0.74], I2 = 67.77%), and quality of life (k = 8, g = .64, 95% CI [0.14, 1.15], I2 = 80.48%). Meta-analyses of behavioral, cognitive, adaptive, and employment outcomes were nonsignificant.
CONCLUSION: Interventions for autistic adults show promise, often producing small-to-moderate positive outcomes as compared to treatment as usual or waitlist controls. Effects largely align with those seen in the child and adolescent autism literature, despite considerable heterogeneity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
PMID:41926193 | DOI:10.1037/ccp0001003
