An Evaluation of Individually Delivered Secret Agent Society Social Skills Program for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study. Issue 3 (27th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tan, Yunxi Lynette; Mazzucchelli, Trevor G.; Beaumont, Renae
• Is Part Of: Behaviour change. Volume 32:Issue 3(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2015-07-27
• Subjects: Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; Behavior modification -- Periodicals; 616.8914205
• DOI: 10.1017/bec.2015.7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0813-4839

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>High-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders display social skill deficits that can have a debilitating impact on their daily lives. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) program has been shown to be effective in improving the social skills of these children when delivered in a group setting. This pilot study evaluated whether individually delivered SAS would yield similar outcomes. Three participants were recruited for the 9-week intervention. Measures of social competence were administered at four points: pretest 1, pretest 2, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up. Participants showed significant improvement in half of the measures assessing social competence. On a third of these measures, two participants demonstrated improvements to within the range of their typically developing peers. Follow-up results suggested that improvements were maintained at 6 weeks' post-intervention. Limitations of this study and directions for future research are discussed.</p> </abstract>