title: Pilot evaluation of the Frankfurt Social Skills Training for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based intervention aiming at improving social and communication skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Over a period of 11 months, N = 17 children and adolescents received treatment according to the manualised Frankfurt Social Skills Training (KONTAKT). Parent, teacher, expert and blind expert ratings were assessed to judge outcome regarding peer interaction, autistic behaviours, adaptive functioning and family burden. The participants exhibited improvements pre to follow-up treatment, particularly in the area of autistic symptomatology. Effect sizes (partial eta squared) ranged from 0.02 to 0.69. Among other things, regression models showed a positive influence of IQ and language skills on gains in social skills. Findings indicate that KONTAKT might be useful for enhancing social skills and reducing autism-related psychopathology over time in different contexts. Nevertheless, controlled trials are needed to reassure its effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, J. W. Goethe University, Deutschordenstrasse 50, 60528 Frankfurt IM, Germany. herbrecht@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herbrecht
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poustka
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Birnkammer
authors.forename: Eftichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duketis
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schlitt
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schmötzer
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bölte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior