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Development of an internet-based support and coaching model for adolescents and young adults with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study

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Abstract

The aims of this paper were to develop an internet-based support and coaching model for young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to validate the model. A user-centred design was applied to develop a model for internet-based support and coaching, where individuals received 8-week support via internet (chat). The model was validated by 10 individuals, 15–26 years of age, with ASD and/or ADHD. Self-report questionnaires [Sense of Coherence (SOC), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life, Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] were distributed before and after intervention. A structured interview regarding the quality of the model, the Patient perspective of Care and Rehabilitation process (POCR), was used after the intervention. The validation showed significant improvement of SOC, self-esteem and subjective Quality of Life at follow-up and the majority perceived high fulfilment/importance on the POCR. In conclusion, The model can be an important complement to other interventions for young people with ASD and/or ADHD.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the young adults who participated. We also like to thank the coaches Lena Niklasson, Louise Hakenäs-Plate, Eva Billstedt and Marie Lindström, and the coordinator Helena Osmar-Swerkersdotter. We are grateful to Mikael Elf for conducting the POCR interviews. This work was supported by The Vårdal Institute, the Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, government grants under the ALF agreement, the Wilhelm and Martina Lundgren foundation and Vinnvård. Parts of the manuscript have been presented at The IX International Congress Autism Europe, Catania 2010.

The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Protocol ID: 16611).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19, Göteborg, Sweden

    Elisabet Wentz & A. Nydén

  2. The Vårdal Institute, The Swedish Institute for Health Sciences, Lund, Sweden

    Elisabet Wentz & B. Krevers

  3. Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    B. Krevers

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  1. Elisabet Wentz
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  3. B. Krevers
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Correspondence to Elisabet Wentz.

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Wentz, E., Nydén, A. & Krevers, B. Development of an internet-based support and coaching model for adolescents and young adults with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 21, 611–622 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0297-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0297-2

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