title: [Prosocial intervention in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability: benefits of videotaping therapy sessions].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) without intellectual disability (including Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism) has increased steadily among individuals since the 1980s. Although some symptoms may decrease with age, functional disability persists and is largely related to abnormalities in social interaction. Within the framework of PDD without intellectual disability, improving social skills appears to be a primary target for intervention programs. Despite a recent increase in the number of studies on this topic, few validated programs are yet available for clinical settings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  We have developed an intervention targeting the improvement of social skills from the analysis of video sequences. The goal of this intervention is to promote communication within the group through sharing their interests and emotions, and to enhance the understanding of social situations. In order to assess the efficiency of this intervention, we have conducted a prospective, open, and uncontrolled study. First, it aimed at assessing the immediate effect of our intervention on a single social skill (communication) in an experimental situation (in the group) and in an ecological situations (family and school). Second, this study aimed at assessing the effects of this intervention on the subjects' social adjustment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 16 individuals with high-functioning autism/Asperger syndrome. Participants were evaluated before and after a 6-month video-based training using measures of socio-communicative and adaptive skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed a statistically significant increase in the communication skills not only in the group (15.5%), but also at home (13.7%) and at school (8.7%). The evaluation of socio-adaptive behavior indicates a statistically significant increase in communication (12%), family (7%) and social autonomy (8%), and leisure activities (8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The communication and social adjustment scores obtained upon inclusion were low, despite low autistic intensity scores. However, the improvement at six months was significant for most studied variables. These results are consistent with our clinical findings and seem partly explained by the use of video supports as the mediator of exchanges within the group. However, because of some methodological limitations, the conclusions on the effects of the intervention should be nuanced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This type of intervention seems to be an interesting therapeutic indication for individuals with high-functioning autism/Asperger syndrome. The first results are encouraging, and all participants enjoyed attending the meetings. These conclusion elements encourage us to continue this intervention and to pursue further research by studying the impact on the individuals' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France. Electronic address: vesperini.s@pediatrie-chulenval-nice.fr.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vesperini
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Askenazy
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Renaudo
authors.affiliation: Département d'information médicale, CHU de Nice, 06000 Nice, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Staccini
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hun
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Legall
authors.affiliation: Service universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, hôpitaux pédiatriques de Nice, CHU-Lenval, 57, avenue de la Californie, 06200 Nice, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serret
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012931:Social Environment; D066107:Social Skills; D014743:Videotape Recording
keywords: Adaptive social behavior; Asperger syndrome; Autisme de haut niveau; Comportement socio-adaptatif; Habiletés sociales; High-functioning autism; Social skills; Syndrome d’Asperger