(PS8-D93) Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Group for Improving Peer Relationships for Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Objective: Research including children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) suggests an elevated rate of social difficulties in this population in comparison to same-aged peers. Interventions for social difficulties have not been investigated in the NF1 population. The Program for Enrichment and Educational of Relational Skills (PEERS®; Laugeson & Frankel, 2010) has been widely established as an intervention to improve social and friendship skills in ASD and has expanded to additional populations (Gardner et al., 2015; Gilmore et al., 2022). Recently, this program was adapted to be offered virtually, providing an opportunity to explore this intervention among a rare population. Thus, a pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-delivered PEERS intervention in adolescents with NF1. 

Participants and

Methods: Twenty-two adolescents with NF1 (ages 12-17 years old) with social skills difficulties and at least 1 caregiver per adolescent began the intervention. Nineteen adolescents with NF1 (M=14.21, SD=1.63; 12 males) and their caregiver(s) attended 14 weekly, 90 minute virtual PEERS® sessions. To explore feasibility and acceptability, the Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire (TAQ; Hunsley, 1992) and Treatment Evaluation Inventory Short Form (TEI-SF; Newton, 2004) were completed by caregivers after the intervention was complete. 

Results: Three families (13.6%) who began the intervention dropped out during the intervention. On the TAQ, many caregivers rated the PEERS treatment as acceptable (89%) and effective (79%). All caregivers (100%) reported that the treatment provider was both knowledgeable and trustworthy, and the PEERS treatment was ethical. Most caregivers (89.4%) indicated they had a positive reaction to the PEERS treatment on the TEI-SF. Most caregivers agreed or strongly agreed that the treatment is an acceptable way to deal with their child’s behavior (95%), is likely to result in permanent improvement (74%), and is acceptable with individuals who cannot choose treatment for themselves (68%). Additionally, 95% of caregivers also reported they agreed or strongly agreed that they are willing to use the treatment to change their child’s behavior and liked the procedures used in the treatment.  

Conclusions: Caregiver treatment ratings indicated a high level of acceptability and feasibility for telehealth-delivered PEERS®. Additionally, the low dropout rate during the intervention further highlights the acceptability and feasibility of this intervention. These preliminary data show the promise of this intervention to support the social functioning of adolescents with NF1 who have social difficulties. 

Funding Sources: NF Midwest, NF Northeast, Children's Tumor Foundation