The efficacy of a Social Skills Group Intervention for improving social behaviors in children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum disorders.
This study tested the efficacy of a new social skills intervention, S ocial S kills GR oup IN tervention-High Functioning Autism (S.S.GRIN-HFA), designed to improve social behaviors in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders. Fifty-five children were randomly assigned to S.S.GRIN-HFA treatment (n = 27) or control (i.e., traditional S.S.GRIN intervention; n = 28). Examination of the direction and magnitude of change in functioning revealed that children who participated in S.S.GRIN-HFA exhibited significantly greater mastery of social skill concepts compared to children in the control group. Parents of S.S.GRIN-HFA group participants reported an improved sense of social self-efficacy, whereas parents of control participants reported a decline. The advantages of a specialized intervention such as S.S.GRIN-HFA, designed specifically for children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders, are discussed.
The 3-C Institute for Social Development, 1901 North Harrison Avenue, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513, USA. DeRosier@3cisd.com
Melissa E
ME
DeRosier
Danielle C
DC
Swick
Naomi Ornstein
NO
Davis
Janey Sturtz
JS
McMillen
Rebecca
R
Matthews
D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome