title: Using self-management to improve the reciprocal social conversation of children with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorders often exhibit difficulties with reciprocal social conversation, engaging in limited verbal exchanges, even when language structures are intact. This study employed a multiple baseline design to examine the effectiveness of a self-management intervention targeting (1) on-topic responsiveness to a conversational partner; (2) expansion of the conversational topic; and (3) on-topic question asking. Results demonstrated improved reciprocal social conversation through elaborated responses and on-topic question asking, which generalized and maintained. Social validity measures by naïve observers indicated that the intervention led to meaningful improvements during conversation, including interest, naturalness, and desirability as a conversational partner.
authors.affiliation: Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lynn Kern
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Koegel
authors.forename: Mi N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Koegel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care; D012919:Social Behavior