School-Based Social Skills Training for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Radley, Keith C.; McHugh, Melissa B.; Taber, Traci; Battaglia, Allison A.; Ford, W. Blake
• Is Part Of: Focus on autism and other developmental disabilities. Volume 32:Number 4(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 256
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: social skills -- socialization -- elementary -- peer modeling -- social -- skills; Autism in children -- Periodicals; Autistic children -- Education -- Periodicals; Autism -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; 616.8982
• DOI: 10.1177/1088357615583470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1088-3576

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of the Superheroes Social Skills program, a social skills curriculum for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous research has found the curriculum to improve social engagements of children with ASD during unstructured recess periods but has been limited in research design and lack of maintenance data. Five elementary-age participants with current placements in inclusive public school settings were included in the study. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to determine the effects of the intervention on social engagement during unstructured recess periods, as well as teacher ratings of social functioning and sociometric status. Visual and statistical analyses of data indicate increased social engagement of participants during recess periods following introduction of social skills training. Improvements were also observed in teacher ratings of social functioning and sociometric status. Limitations of the current study are also discussed.