# Surviving and Thriving in the Real World: A Daily Living Skills Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

> **NIH NIH K23** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2020 · $153,477

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even those defined as high functioning (IQ >70), have
significant daily living skills (DLS) deficits that have been linked to poor adult outcome in independent living,
post-secondary education, employment, and socializing with others. However, there are currently no
intervention packages that target the acquisition of DLS. The resubmission of this Mentored Patient-Oriented
Research Career Development Award (K23) supports the candidate's long-term goals of implementing and
evaluating effective interventions that target DLS in adolescents with ASD to facilitate a successful transition to
adulthood and an increased quality of life. The candidate will pursue her short-term goals by receiving
mentorship and training in (1) developing and utilizing rigorous methodology to objectively measure DLS
outcomes; (2) conducting randomized clinical trials (RCTs), (3) implementing advanced statistical analyses of
RCTs, (4) utilizing goal attainment scaling to measure progress at the individual level, and (5) enhancing
manuscript and grant writing skills. The award will be based at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
under the mentorship of Dr. Lori Stark and co-mentorship of Drs. Avani Modi, Jareen Meinzen-Derr, Judy
Reaven (University of Colorado), and Lisa Ruble (University of Kentucky). The proposed research will develop,
conduct, and evaluate a feasibility RCT of a group intervention, Surviving and Thriving in the Real World
(STRW), to increase DLS (e.g., hygiene, cooking, laundry, and money management) in adolescents with high
functioning ASD. An iterative process informed key components of the STRW intervention proposed in the K23
(e.g., specific skills targeted, use of evidence-based strategies, parental involvement, etc.). Prior to conducting
the RCT, exploratory DLS outcome measures (i.e., computerized daily phone diaries, behavioral observations
of targeted DLS) that directly assess DLS will be developed and piloted. A feasibility RCT of STRW will then be
conducted with 56 adolescents with ASD between the ages of 14-21 and their parents. Participants will be
randomized to either a STRW or control group (i.e., social skills group). Primary DLS outcomes (i.e., Vineland
Adaptive Behavior Scales, 3rd Edition), secondary DLS outcomes (i.e., goal attainment scaling), and
exploratory DLS outcomes (i.e., daily phone diaries, direct behavioral observations, self-report of DLS) will be
assessed. The preliminary effectiveness of STRW will be compared to the control at post-treatment (Aim 1)
and maintenance of treatment gains will be measured at 6-month follow-up (Aim 2). Executive functioning,
social skills, psychopathology, and parenting factors will be explored to examine their effect on targeted DLS
(Aim 3). A DLS intervention has the potential to directly affect current functioning and future adult outcomes in
adolescents with high functioning ASD by increasing capabilities fo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10005396
- **Project number:** 5K23HD094855-03
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Amie Marie Duncan
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $153,477
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-20 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10005396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10005396, Surviving and Thriving in the Real World: A Daily Living Skills Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (5K23HD094855-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10005396. Licensed CC0.

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