Abstract
This proposal outlines a one-year pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a Social Skills Development Program (SSDP) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The objectives of SSDP are to increase social motivation, and to enhance appropriate social behaviors in reciprocal social interaction. These objectives have been chosen because they reflect core deficits in social and communication skills for children with ASDs, can be measured, and can be targeted a structured social skills training program.
The study will be conducted at the Yale Child Study Center. Children with ASDs will be recruited in the first four months of the study. Each child will be fully assessed regarding the target behaviors, and then each will enter a group consisting of five children with an ASD and two typically developing peers, "peer trainers." The treatment, which consists of a 12-week, 90-minute intervention, is based on applied behavioral strategies within the context of an intensive group socialization experience. Activities designed to promote social interaction will provide a basis for learning social initiation and appropriate social behavior. Moreover, these behaviors will be taught explicitly and practiced. Typical peers will be trained to provide practice and reinforcement of the target behaviors. Behavior change will be assessed using standard measures through parent interview and direct observation of the child in a naturalistic setting. These data will address the clinical significance of the program; whether the program is acceptable to families; and to what degree interview and observational data converge. A final outcome of the program will be the development of a manual in which operational procedures and guidelines are described so that this intervention can be replicated in a larger, more comprehensive study.
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Principal Investigator
Lawrence Scahill
Co-Investigator
Kathleen Koenig
Karyn Bailey
Fred Volkmar
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