View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Empathetic Statements in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Empathetic Statements in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Authors: Koegel, Lynn Kern (AUTHOR), Ponder, Elizabeth (AUTHOR), Bruzzese, Tommy (AUTHOR), Wang, Mason (AUTHOR), Semnani, Sina J. (AUTHOR), Chi, Nathan (AUTHOR), Koegel, Brittany L. (AUTHOR), Lin, Tzu Yuan (AUTHOR), Swarnakar, Ankush (AUTHOR), Lam, Monica S. (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Jul2026, Vol. 56 Issue 7, p2513-2529. 17p.
Subjects: Diagnosis of autism, Empathy, Scale analysis (Psychology), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Research funding, Artificial intelligence, Rehabilitation of autistic people, Sex distribution, Statistical sampling, Natural language processing, Treatment effectiveness, Confidence, Randomized controlled trials, Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U Test, Anxiety, Race, Communication, Videoconferencing, Social skills, Communication education, Asperger's syndrome, Interpersonal relations, Patient satisfaction, Machine learning, Inter-observer reliability, Mental depression, Adolescence, Adults
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Challenges with social communication and social interaction are a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These challenges frequently interfere with making friendships, securing and maintaining employment, and can lead to co-occurring conditions. While face-to-face clinical interventions with trained professionals can be helpful in improving social conversation, they can be costly and are unavailable to many, particularly given the high prevalence of ASD and lack of professional training. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an AI program using a Large Language Model (LLM) would improve verbal empathetic responses during social conversation. Autistic adolescents and adults, 11–35 years of age, who were able to engage in conversation but demonstrated challenges with empathetic responses participated in this study. A randomized clinical trial design was used to assess the effects of the AI program (Noora) compared to a waitlist control group. Noora asks participants to respond to leading statements and provides feedback on their answers. In this study, participants were asked to respond to 10 statements per day 5 days per week for 4 weeks for an expected total of 200 trials. Pre- and post-intervention conversation samples were collected to assess generalization during natural conversation. Additionally pre- and post-intervention questionnaires regarding each participant's comfort during social conversation and participants' satisfaction with the AI program were collected. The results of this study demonstrated that empathetic responses could be greatly improved by using an AI program for a short period of time. Participants in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in empathetic responses, which generalized to social conversation, compared to the waitlist control group. Some participants in the experimental group reported improved confidence in targeted areas and most reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. These findings suggest that AI using LLMs can be used to improve empathetic responses, thereby providing a time- and cost-efficient support program for improving social conversation in autistic adolescents and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 195184717
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Empathetic Statements in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Koegel%2C+Lynn+Kern%22">Koegel, Lynn Kern</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ponder%2C+Elizabeth%22">Ponder, Elizabeth</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bruzzese%2C+Tommy%22">Bruzzese, Tommy</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wang%2C+Mason%22">Wang, Mason</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Semnani%2C+Sina+J%2E%22">Semnani, Sina J.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chi%2C+Nathan%22">Chi, Nathan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Koegel%2C+Brittany+L%2E%22">Koegel, Brittany L.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lin%2C+Tzu+Yuan%22">Lin, Tzu Yuan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Swarnakar%2C+Ankush%22">Swarnakar, Ankush</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lam%2C+Monica+S%2E%22">Lam, Monica S.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Autism+%26+Developmental+Disorders%22">Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 56 Issue 7, p2513-2529. 17p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diagnosis+of+autism%22">Diagnosis of autism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scale+analysis+%28Psychology%29%22">Scale analysis (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attention-deficit+hyperactivity+disorder%22">Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+funding%22">Research funding</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rehabilitation+of+autistic+people%22">Rehabilitation of autistic people</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+distribution%22">Sex distribution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+sampling%22">Statistical sampling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Natural+language+processing%22">Natural language processing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Treatment+effectiveness%22">Treatment effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Confidence%22">Confidence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Randomized+controlled+trials%22">Randomized controlled trials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Descriptive+statistics%22">Descriptive statistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mann+Whitney+U+Test%22">Mann Whitney U Test</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety%22">Anxiety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication%22">Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Videoconferencing%22">Videoconferencing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+skills%22">Social skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+education%22">Communication education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Asperger's+syndrome%22">Asperger's syndrome</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Patient+satisfaction%22">Patient satisfaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Machine+learning%22">Machine learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inter-observer+reliability%22">Inter-observer reliability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+depression%22">Mental depression</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adolescence%22">Adolescence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Challenges with social communication and social interaction are a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These challenges frequently interfere with making friendships, securing and maintaining employment, and can lead to co-occurring conditions. While face-to-face clinical interventions with trained professionals can be helpful in improving social conversation, they can be costly and are unavailable to many, particularly given the high prevalence of ASD and lack of professional training. The purpose of this study was to assess whether an AI program using a Large Language Model (LLM) would improve verbal empathetic responses during social conversation. Autistic adolescents and adults, 11–35 years of age, who were able to engage in conversation but demonstrated challenges with empathetic responses participated in this study. A randomized clinical trial design was used to assess the effects of the AI program (Noora) compared to a waitlist control group. Noora asks participants to respond to leading statements and provides feedback on their answers. In this study, participants were asked to respond to 10 statements per day 5 days per week for 4 weeks for an expected total of 200 trials. Pre- and post-intervention conversation samples were collected to assess generalization during natural conversation. Additionally pre- and post-intervention questionnaires regarding each participant's comfort during social conversation and participants' satisfaction with the AI program were collected. The results of this study demonstrated that empathetic responses could be greatly improved by using an AI program for a short period of time. Participants in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in empathetic responses, which generalized to social conversation, compared to the waitlist control group. Some participants in the experimental group reported improved confidence in targeted areas and most reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. These findings suggest that AI using LLMs can be used to improve empathetic responses, thereby providing a time- and cost-efficient support program for improving social conversation in autistic adolescents and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=195184717
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10803-025-06734-x
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 2513
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Diagnosis of autism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empathy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scale analysis (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rehabilitation of autistic people
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex distribution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Natural language processing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Treatment effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Confidence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Randomized controlled trials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mann Whitney U Test
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anxiety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Race
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Videoconferencing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asperger's syndrome
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Patient satisfaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Machine learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inter-observer reliability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mental depression
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adults
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Empathetic Statements in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Koegel, Lynn Kern
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ponder, Elizabeth
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Bruzzese, Tommy
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wang, Mason
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Semnani, Sina J.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Chi, Nathan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Koegel, Brittany L.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lin, Tzu Yuan
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Swarnakar, Ankush
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Lam, Monica S.
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 01623257
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 56
            – Type: issue
              Value: 7
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders
              Type: main
ResultId 1