title: Making the connection: randomized controlled trial of social skills at school for children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared two interventions for improving the social skills of high functioning children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms. One intervention involved a peer-mediated approach (PEER) and the other involved a child-assisted approach (CHILD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The two interventions were crossed in a 2 × 2 factorial design yielding control, PEER, CHILD, and both PEER and CHILD conditions. Sixty children participated from 56 classrooms in 30 schools. Interventions involved 12 sessions over 6 weeks, with a 3-month follow-up. Outcome measures included self, peer and teacher reports of social skills and independent weekly observations of children on their school playground over the course of the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were found in social network salience, number of friendship nominations, teacher report of social skills in the classroom, and decreased isolation on the playground for children who received PEER interventions. Changes obtained at the end of the treatment persisted to the 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that significant improvements can be made in peer social connections for children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms with a brief intervention, and that these gains persist over time.
authors: Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. kasari@gseis.ucla.edu
authors: Connie
authors: C
authors: Kasari
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Rotheram-Fuller
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Locke
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Gulsrud
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D012574:Schools; D012919:Social Behavior; D012951:Socialization; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome