School-based social skills training for young people with autism spectrum disorders. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Einfeld, Stewart L.; Beaumont, Renae; Clark, Trevor; Clarke, Kristina S.; Costley, Debra; Gray, Kylie M.; Horstead, Siân K.; Redoblado Hodge, M. Antoinette; Roberts, Jacqueline; Sofronoff, Kate; Taffe, John R.; Howlin, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. Volume 43:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- social skills training -- school; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; 362.1968
• DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2017.1326587
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-8250

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Program, an intervention to enhance social–emotional skills, was provided by schools for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The program was assessed to determine if it improved social skills at school and home, and whether improvements were maintained. Methods : Eighty-four students participated. Key outcomes were parent and teacher ratings of emotion regulation, social skills, and direct child social problem-solving measures. The standard school curriculum served as the control condition. Phase 1 was a two-group waitlist-control comparison of SAS versus the standard curriculum. Phase 2 was a follow up of all participants before and after the intervention and at 12-months post-intervention. Results : Parent and child measures improved after the intervention but not in the waitlist condition. Improvements in parent, child, and teacher measures were apparent at 12 months. Conclusions : The SAS Program warrants further research as a potential program for schools that serve children with ASD.