title: The effect of a motor-based, social skills intervention for adolescents with high-functioning autism: two single-subject design cases.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a motor-based, social skills intervention for two adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA) using single-subject design. A description of the intervention is provided as a first step in the manualization process. The intervention was provided as a 7-week after-school program, once weekly to the paired participants. Intervention consisted of role-play methods in which motor behaviours were linked with their cognitive and emotional meanings. Baseline, intervention and 3-month probe data collection periods were carried out and then compared using visual inspection of graphed data, paired t-tests and a three-standard-deviation-band approach. Both participants displayed a statistically significant increase in targeted social skills behaviours from baseline to intervention and maintained this level at a 3-month post-intervention probe. These single-subject design cases illustrate that motor-based, social skills interventions may be effective for adolescents with HFA and warrant further testing.
authors.affiliation: Programs in Occupational Therapy, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. sg2422@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gutman
authors.forename: Emily I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Raphael
authors.forename: Leila M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ceder
authors.forename: Arshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Timp
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvant
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012381:Role Playing