Group cognitive behavioural therapy program shows potential in reducing symptoms of depression and stress among young people with ASD

We examined the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered in groups on the reduction of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in young people on the autism spectrum. Utilising a quasi-experimental design, comparisons were made between individuals allocated to a group intervention program and individuals allocated to a waitlist. Following the intervention program, participants who were initially symptomatic reported significantly lower depression and stress scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in comparison to individuals on the waitlist. There was no significant change in anxiety related symptoms. The benefits were maintained at 3 and 9 month follow-up. Our findings demonstrate the potential of CBT in a small group setting for assisting young people with ASD who have symptoms of depression and stress.

Bootstrapping mobile app development

Modern IDEs provide limited support for developers when starting a new data-driven mobile app. App developers are currently required to write copious amounts of boilerplate code, scripts, organise complex directories, and author actual functionality. Although this scenario is ripe for automation, current tools are yet to address it adequately. In this paper we present RAPPT, a tool that generates the scaffolding of a mobile app based on a high level description specified in a Domain Specific Language (DSL). We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach by an example case study and feedback from a professional development team. Demo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffquVgBYpLM.

An assessment of interventions that target risk factors for elder abuse

Although there is increasing concern about both the prevalence of, and harms associated with the abuse of older adults, progress in the development of interventions to prevent its occurrence has been slow. This paper reports the findings of a systematic review of the published literature that identified studies in which the outcomes of preventative interventions are described. A total of eight different intervention trials, published since 2004, are described across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of prevention and in terms of the types of risk factor that they target. The current evidence to support the effectiveness of these interventions is not only limited by the small number of outcome studies but also the poor quality of evaluation designs and the focus of many interventions on single risk factors. It is concluded that work is needed to strengthen the evidence base that supports the delivery of interventions to prevent elder abuse.

Exploring the effect of gender and age on stress and emotional distress in adults with autism spectrum disorder

One hundred nine people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), andStress Survey Schedule (SSS). Compared with Australian norms for DASS depression, anxiety, and stress, both males andfemales with ASD showed elevated scores. Females aged 25 to 44 years scored significantly higher on the DASS depressionsubscale than same aged males and younger males and females. Significant gender and age differences were evident onSSS subscales. In comparison with males, females were more stressed on Pleasant Events, Sensory/Personal Contact, andSocial and Environmental subscales, and adult females in particular were more stressed on items around Change and SocialThreats and Anticipation/Uncertainty. Young people were less stressed on seven of the eight SSS subscales than olderpeople. It appears that emotional vulnerability in people with ASD varies according to gender and age, with adult femalesat particular risk.