title: Summer Treatment Program Improves Behavior of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of a behavioral summer treatment program for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Twenty boys (M = 9.2 years) diagnosed with HFASD participated in the 6-week program across 6 years. Detailed daily behavioral data were collected on a variety of positive and negative social behaviors. Repeated measures ANOVAs of weekly behavior frequencies indicated substantial improvements in a number of behaviors over the 6 weeks of the program, including following activity rules, contributing to a group discussion, paying attention, and less complaining/whining. Overall, results highlight the potential efficacy of treating chronic functional impairments of HFASD and associated problem behaviors in the context of an intensive behavioral summer treatment program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, HMB 195, 1720 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA, esm9015@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Elisabeth Sheridan
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mrug
authors.forename: Cryshelle S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Kirstin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bart Hodgens
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*