Effects of Computer-Facilitated Emotion Recognition Training for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This study assessed effects of an emotion recognition training administered via a computer-facilitated, multimedia instructional program for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID). The intervention consisting of 410 activities was tested with a group of participants with ASD (n = 43) with a mean age 33.71 +/- 5.98 years who were divided into an experimental group (n = 22) and a control group (wait list) (n = 21). This pilot intervention study indicates that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in both basic and advanced emotion recognition and the control group demonstrated no such improvements. In addition, the experimental group showed indirect benefits by demonstrating a significant reduction in stress. Emotion Recognition, The Eyes Task, and Advanced Dynamic Complex Visual Emotion Recognition.