title: Comparison and item analysis of the MESSY for autistic and normal children.
abstract: Seventeen autistic children were matched for age, race, and sex with 17 nonautistic children, and group differences in social skills were assessed. Appropriate social skills and levels of inappropriate assertiveness/impulsiveness were assessed and evaluated using the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY). Significant differences in both the appropriate and inappropriate social behaviors displayed by the two groups were found. The implications of these results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Compton
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sevin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012919:Social Behavior