Exploring Social Cognition in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Edinburgh Social Cognition Test

Social cognition plays a critical role in the transition to adulthood for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), impacting outcomes in employment, relationships, and independent living. This study examined the utility of the Edinburgh Social Cognition Test (ESCoT) in assessing social cognitive abilities in young adults with ASD before and after participation in the Launching! to Adulthood intervention. Participants included 58 young adults with ASD (74.1% male, 94.8% White) with average cognitive abilities and high rates of comorbid mental health conditions. The ESCoT assessed cognitive and affective theory of mind, as well as interpersonal and intrapersonal understanding of social norms. Social cognition was evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. The Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) was administered to examine convergent validity. At baseline, participants exhibited moderate deficits in social cognition, particularly in social norm comprehension and affective theory of mind. Post-intervention, there were not statistically significant, increases in ESCoT scores across all subdomains. Internal consistency improved in post-treatment assessments. Correlations between ESCoT and SRS-2 scores were low or non-significant, suggesting these measures assess distinct aspects of social functioning. The lack of significant gains raises questions regarding the ESCoT’s sensitivity to subtle improvements in social cognition, particularly in verbally proficient individuals. Findings highlight the need for ecologically valid and objective social cognition measures that align with real-world social demands and are sensitive to diverse cultural and cognitive profiles.