Journal article
Training to understand and navigate emotions and interactions (TUNE In): A novel program to support social functioning in adults on the autism spectrum
Research in Autism, v 131, 202770
Mar 2026
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
There are few evidence-based programs to support social functioning in autistic adults. We developed a novel, 17-week cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based program, TUNE In (Training to Understand & Navigate Emotions and Interactions), which targets several components of social functioning in adults, including social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, and social skills. We collected data on the potential efficacy of TUNE In for improving social functioning in autistic adults.
TUNE In comprises individual and group sessions focused on social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, and social skills, as well as participation in a volunteer work team for skill generalization. We piloted TUNE In in two separate cohorts of autistic adults without intellectual disability. Based on the experiences of Cohort 1 (n = 7), we updated the TUNE In protocol prior to starting Cohort 2 (n = 11); updates included increasing the time spent on mindfulness practices, reducing video modeling of social skills, and increasing naturalistic conversation practice.
Cohort 2 showed improvement in social functioning as reflected by a significant reduction in Social Responsiveness Scale-2 Adult Form (SRS-2) scores (Sign Rank Test z = 2.76, p = .006, d = 0.44) following participation in TUNE In.
These data suggest that TUNE In may improve social functioning in autistic adults. Further study of TUNE In in comparison to a control condition in a larger sample of adults is warranted.
[Display omitted]
•TUNE In is a novel intervention to support social functioning in autistic adults.•TUNE In combines cognitive-behavioral & mindfulness-based strategies.•It targets multiple aspects of social functioning, including skill generalization.•TUNE In may improve social functioning in autistic adults•Larger, randomized controlled trials of TUNE in are warranted to test efficacy.
Metrics
2 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Training to understand and navigate emotions and interactions (TUNE In): A novel program to support social functioning in adults on the autism spectrum
- Creators
- Ashley A. Pallathra - University of PennsylvaniaJames A. Rankin - University of PennsylvaniaJessica Day-Watkins - A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, United StatesMonica E. Calkins - University of PennsylvaniaBrenna B. Maddox - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJudith S. Miller - University of PennsylvaniaJulia Parish-Morris - University of PennsylvaniaJohn D. Herrington - University of PennsylvaniaShreya Kangovi - University of PennsylvaniaRachel Tomlinson - Rutgers - Camden School of Business, United StatesRose Rasty - University of PennsylvaniaRuchisree Garuda - University of PennsylvaniaTorrey A. Creed - University of PennsylvaniaConnor M. Kerns - Drexel UniversityEmily S. Kuschner - University of PennsylvaniaWarren B. Bilker - University of PennsylvaniaFemida Handy - University of PennsylvaniaJames E. Connell - Drexel UniversityGabriel S. Dichter - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDavid S. Mandell - University of PennsylvaniaRobert T. Schultz - University of PennsylvaniaEdward S. Brodkin (Corresponding Author) - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Research in Autism, v 131, 202770
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- NIMH: R34MH104407 Eagles Autism Foundation (Eagles Autism Challenge Pilot Grant)Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE) at the University of PennsylvaniaNational Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: UL1TR000003 Translational Medicine and Therapeutics' (ITMAT) Transdisciplinary Program in Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania
This work was supported by NIMH Grant R34MH104407, Services to Enhance Social Functioning in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (E.S.B.) ; The Eagles Autism Foundation (Eagles Autism Challenge Pilot Grant, E.S.B.) ; the Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence (ASPE) at the University of Pennsylvania (E.S.B.) ; the National Center for Research Resources, Grant UL1RR024134, now the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Grant UL1TR000003, and the Translational Medicine and Therapeutics' (ITMAT) Transdisciplinary Program in Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania (E.S.B., R.T.S.) . We also thank all the families who participated in this study, without whom this research could not have been conducted. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001667992200001
- Other Identifier
- 991022153459604721