Work

Training to understand and navigate emotions and interactions (TUNE In): A novel program to support social functioning in adults on the autism spectrum

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: 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 feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of TUNE In for improving social functioning in autistic adults. Methods: TUNE In comprises individual and group sessions focused on social motivation, social anxiety, social cognition, and social skills, as well as participation in a philanthropic 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. Results: TUNE In was feasible and acceptable to most participants. 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. Conclusion: These data suggest that TUNE In is acceptable, feasible, and 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.

Source: Research in Autism

DOI: 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202770