title: Improvements in social and adaptive functioning following short-duration PRT program: a clinical replication.
abstract: Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is an empirically validated behavioral treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of the current study was to assess the efficacy of PRT for ten cognitively-able preschool-aged children with ASD in the context of a short-duration (4-month) treatment model. Most research on PRT used individual behavioral goals as outcome measures, but the current study utilized standardized assessments of broader-based social communication and adaptive skills. The children made substantial gains; however, magnitude and consistency of response across measures were variable. The results provide additional support for the efficacy of PRT as well as evidence for improvements in higher-order social communication and adaptive skill development within the context of a short-duration PRT model.
authors.affiliation: Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Road, 207900, New Haven, CT, 06520-7900, USA, pamela.ventola@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ventola
authors.forename: Hannah E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oosting
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foss-Feig
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Volkmar
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pelphrey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012917:Social Adjustment; D066107:Social Skills; D016896:Treatment Outcome