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Table 6 Qualitative reports provided by participants following the group program

From: Modified CBT for social anxiety and social functioning in young adults with autism spectrum disorder

Participant 1

“I’ve always hated phone calls, they’re probably the one thing that make me most anxious. This week I was able to make a phone call to one of our other group members. I didn’t want to do it, but we ended up having a great conversation… and we talked for 50 min!”

Participant 2

“It was also really nice to be in a group where everyone shares similar problems that other people can take for granted. I didn’t feel the need to ‘conform’ to neuro-typical behaviour, which took a lot of pressure off. Everyone actually understands, which is really rare. I have since been able to stay in contact with everyone post-group, which again is nice because I still have connections with people who ‘get it”

Participant 3

“…for the longest time I always felt like there were these 'unspoken rules' of society that everyone else had been taught except me, and no matter how hard I tried to find out what I was missing, nothing seemed to lay out the bare-bones foundations of how people interact, become friends, and stay friends in a way I could understand”

Participant 4

“It may not sound like much, but I’ve never been able to order food for myself at a shop. I feel I don’t know what to do and I get so anxious I’m worried they won’t even hear me. But I was able to buy myself lunch this week—it’s something I’ve never done and makes me feel like a proper adult now”

Participant 5

“It has been wonderful being in the group and it's unfortunate that it's the last week. I hope to put all your teachings into practice and not give up. I'm thankful for the guidance and it's given me hope to keep persisting, even though there are roadblocks I need to see the achievements so it can help me keep going”