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NCT Number: NCT07029893

Independent Life Skills Program for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This project will pilot-test an Independent Life Skills Program (ILSP) for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The ILSP was developed by a group of occupational therapists at Heep Hong Society based on the theories of self-regulated learning, life management, and self-management. The ILSP is a comprehensive program covering different life skills, including personal management, home management, community integration and self-management. These life skills are essential for transitioning from young adulthood and are predictors of successful transition.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong

About this study

Acquiring daily life skills, including personal management, home management, community integration, and self-management, is crucial for enhancing quality of life and promoting autonomous living. However, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), encompassing both adolescents and adults, often face challenges and demonstrate limited levels of independence when it comes to engaging in these daily living skills.

This pilot testing aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the ILSP for individuals with ASD. It will also pilot-test the benefits of daily living skills and confidence.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 18 or above;
  • diagnosed with autism based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
  • borderline to normal IQ.

Exclusion criteria

  • have other types of Special Educational Needs such as social and emotional mental health needs, hearing impairments
  • do not consent to participate

Treatment and study plan

Independent Life Skills Program (ILSP)

Behavioral

The ILSP runs for 14 weeks, covering six areas of independent living skills and 14 weekly sessions lasting 2 hours each. The program will run in a group format with 4 participants in each group. The ILSP will be run by occupational therapists who are trained in the program delivery.

Wait-list control

Other

Participants do not receive the experimental treatment and will be put on a waiting list to receive the intervention after the active treatment group does.

Primary outcomes

  1. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)

    Time frame: Before the intervention period, and at the end of the intervention period at 14 weeks

    The GAS takes into account that individuals have varying starting points and different desired outcomes based on their unique strengths and challenges. It is proven to be useful in reflecting personalised outcomes in intervention studies for adults with autism. The GAS uses a 5-point scale to create goals and measure progress, with -2 representing the baseline skill level. Progression from -2 to -1 indicates progress (50% better performance), and progression from -2 to 0 indicates the expected level of outcome (100% better performance).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Confidence Questionnaire

    Time frame: Before the intervention period, and at the end of the intervention period at 14 weeks

    This questionnaire was designed by the occupational therapists. It covers the six areas of the ILSP. Participants will be asked to rate their confidence in completing those six areas and 14 skills using an 11-point scale, from 0 as no confidence at all to 10 as full confidence. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 300.

  2. IADL Competency Test

    Time frame: Before the intervention period, and at the end of the intervention period at 14 weeks

    Based on the content of the ILSP, the occupational therapists developed this competency test to assess participants' competence in 30 skills. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 30.

  3. Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale - Hong Kong version (IADL Scale)

    Time frame: Before the intervention period, and at the end of the intervention period at 14 weeks

    It covers nine complex daily tasks (IADL) needed to live independently (e.g., doing housework, preparing meals, taking medications properly, managing finances, using a telephone). A 4-point scoring system is used with 0, representing unable to perform to 3 representing complete independence. The score ranges from 0 - 27, with lower scores indicating less ability to complete the daily tasks.

Other outcomes

  1. Acceptability survey

    Time frame: At the end of the intervention at 14 weeks

    The survey will be completed by participants in the ILSP (experimental intervention). Questions in the survey are based on four dimensions to determine the participants' preparedness to participate, relevancy, convenience and perceived effectiveness of the ILSP. The questionnaire uses a four-point Likert scale with verbal labels indicating equal graduating portions of agreement or disagreement from (1) completely disagree, (2) disagree, (3) agree, and (4) completely agree.

  2. Attendence rate

    Time frame: Through intervention completion, attendence of every session in the 14-week intervention

    Participants' retention rate and attendance in each session are recorded and a percentage attendance rate is calculated to reflect the program's feasibility. This is recorded for participants in the ILSP (experimental intervention).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Independent Life Skills Program for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 19, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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