Abstract
This proposal outlines a one-year study to extend the research on a Social Skills Development Program (SSDP) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Lawrence Scahill, PhD, MSN; Kathleen Koenig. MSN, Investigators). The current project is designed to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a structured group treatment intervention for enhancing social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). An important aim of this project is to develop a model for delivery of social skills training that can be exported to schools and community settings.
For the current study, forty children with ASDs are being recruited in a rolling enrollment process, which began in January, 2004. Each child is fully assessed regarding the target behaviors, and then randomly assigned to begin the group treatment immediately or to the waiting list (to begin treatment in 12 weeks.) The treatment, which consists of a 12-week, 75-minute intervention, is based on applied behavioral strategies within the context of an intensive group socialization experience. Activities designed to promote social interaction provide a basis for learning social initiation and appropriate social behavior. Each group consists of 4-5 children with an ASD and 2 typically developing peers who are trained as 'tutors.' The peer tutors provide practice and reinforcement of the target behaviors. Behavior change is assessed using standard measures through parent interview, questionnaire data from parent and teachers, and direct observation of the child in a naturalistic setting. At the conclusion of this one-year project, these data will be used to 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 is the development of a manual in which the intervention program is described comprehensively. The purpose of the manual is twofold. It can be can be used by schools and community agencies to guide the development of social skills programs for children. Further, it will allow larger, replication studies to be conducted to answer the full range of questions regarding social skills intervention for children with ASDs.
This application to The Beatrice Renfield -Yale School of Nursing Clinical Research Initiatives Fund is intended to extend the current research on the SSDP in the following ways. We will extend the program for one year in order to increase our sample size, which will significantly enhance our ability to detect treatment effects. We will conduct additional assessment of the children who have participated in the program after six months to measure whether behavioral changes have been maintained after the conclusion of treatment. Further, the extended time period and increased experience with the development of the group curriculum will allow us to refine and finalize the Social Skills Development Program Manual.
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