Evidence-Based Social Communication Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laci Watkins ◽  
Michelle Kuhn ◽  
Katherine Ledbetter-Cho ◽  
Cindy Gevarter ◽  
Mark O’Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Communication Interventions

scholarly journals SMARTer Approach to Personalizing Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 2629-2640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connie Kasari ◽  
Alexandra Sturm ◽  
Wendy Shih
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Purpose This review article introduces research methods for personalization of intervention. Our goals are to review evidence-based practices for improving social communication impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder generally and then how these practices can be systematized in ways that personalize intervention, especially for children who respond slowly to an initial evidence-based practice. Method The narrative reflects on the current status of modular and targeted interventions on social communication outcomes in the field of autism research. Questions are introduced regarding personalization of interventions that can be addressed through research methods. These research methods include adaptive treatment designs and the Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial. Examples of empirical studies using research designs are presented to answer questions of personalization. Conclusion Bridging the gap between research studies and clinical practice can be advanced by research that attempts to answer questions pertinent to the broad heterogeneity in children with autism spectrum disorder, their response to interventions, and the fact that a single intervention is not effective for all children. Presentation Video https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7298021

Teaching Social Scripts to Improve Social Communication for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 004005992110220
Author(s):  
Gretchen Scheibel ◽  
Zijie Ma ◽  
Jason C. Travers
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Academic Difficulties ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Social Scripts ◽  
Students With Autism

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are likely to demonstrate social impairments that contribute to challenging behaviors and academic difficulties. As a result, the task of improving social communication skills is a critical component to any educational program for this population. Scripting provides an evidence-based and versatile option for improving social communication, yielding valuable results while requiring limited time and resource preparation from educators. In this article, we present step by step guidance to support practitioners in using scripting interventions. Considerations are discussed for adapting this intervention to meet the needs of students across the autism spectrum and links to resources for strengthening implementation and including other evidence-based practices.

Characterizing therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies in publicly funded mental health services for children with autism spectrum disorder: Differentiating practice patterns in usual care and AIM HI delivery

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110016
Author(s):  
Eliana Hurwich-Reiss ◽  
Colby Chlebowski ◽  
Teresa Lind ◽  
Kassandra Martinez ◽  
Karin M Best ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Active Teaching

This study identified patterns of therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies with children with autism spectrum disorder within publicly funded mental health services and compared patterns for therapists delivering usual care to those trained in AIM HI (“An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for ASD”). Data were drawn from a randomized community effectiveness trial and included a subsample of 159 therapists (86% female) providing outpatient or school-based psychotherapy. Therapist strategies were measured via observational coding of psychotherapy session recordings. Exploratory factor analysis used to examine patterns of strategy delivery showed that among therapists in the usual care condition, strategies loaded onto the single factor, General Strategies, whereas for therapists in the AIM HI training condition, strategies grouped onto two factors, Autism Engagement Strategies and Active Teaching Strategies. Among usual care therapists, General Strategies were associated with an increase in child behavior problems, whereas for AIM HI therapists, Active Teaching Strategies were associated with reductions in child behavior problems over 18 months. Results support the effectiveness of training therapists in evidence-based interventions to increase the specificity of strategies delivered to children with autism spectrum disorder served in publicly funded mental health settings. Findings also support the use of active teaching strategies in reducing challenging behaviors. Lay abstract This study was conducted to identify patterns of therapist delivery of evidence-based intervention strategies with children with autism spectrum disorder receiving publicly funded mental health services and compare strategy use for therapists delivering usual care to those trained to deliver AIM HI (“An Individualized Mental Health Intervention for ASD”), an intervention designed to reduce challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. For therapists trained in AIM HI, intervention strategies grouped onto two factors, Autism Engagement Strategies and Active Teaching Strategies, while strategies used by usual care therapists grouped onto a broader single factor, General Strategies. Among usual care therapists, General Strategies were related to an increase in child behavior problems, whereas for AIM HI therapists, Active Teaching Strategies were related with reductions in child behavior problems over 18 months. Findings support the use of active teaching strategies in reducing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder and provide support for the effectiveness of training therapists in evidence-based interventions to promote the delivery of targeted, specific intervention strategies to children with autism spectrum disorder in mental health services.

Revisiting an RCT study of a parent education program for Latinx parents in the United States: Are treatment effects maintained over time?

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110331
Author(s):  
Weiwen Zeng ◽  
Sandy Magaña ◽  
Kristina Lopez ◽  
Yue Xu ◽  
J Marisol Marroquín
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Communication Impairments ◽  
Parent Education Program

This study examined maintenance of treatment effects in a culturally tailored parent education program for Latinx families of children with autism spectrum disorder using a behavior maintenance framework. In a two-site randomized waitlist-control study, we compared differences in parent and child outcomes across three timepoints using linear mixed models to determine whether outcomes observed at 4 months after baseline (Time 2) were maintained for an additional 4-month period (Time 3). Parent outcomes included family empowerment, self-reported confidence in, and frequency of using evidence-based strategies. Child outcomes included parent-reported challenging behaviors, social communication impairments, and the number of services received. Participants were 109 Latina mothers (intervention = 54, control = 55) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Results showed that at Time 3, mothers in the intervention groups reported significantly greater confidence in and frequency of using evidence-based strategies, and that their child received significantly more services. Site-specific treatment differences were found in outcomes such as parent-reported empowerment and child social communication impairments. Findings suggest that the intervention for Latinx parents of children with autism spectrum disorder was efficacious and could be maintained, and that site-specific policy and service differences may need to be examined in future research to inform dissemination and implementation. Lay abstract Background: We conducted a follow-up investigation of a two-site randomized controlled trial in the United States. We examined whether the treatment effects in a culturally tailored parent education program for Latinx families of children with autism spectrum disorder were maintained over time. Methods: Using linear mixed models, we compared differences in parent and child outcomes across three timepoints: baseline, 4 months after baseline (Time 2), and 8 months after baseline (T3). Parent outcomes included family empowerment, self-reported confidence in, and frequency of using evidence-based strategies. Child outcomes included parent-reported challenging behaviors, social communication impairments, and the number of services received. Participants were 109 Latina mothers (intervention = 54, control = 55) of children with autism spectrum disorder. Results: After intervention at both Time 2 and Time 3 in both sites, mothers in the intervention groups reported significantly greater confidence in and frequency of using evidence-based strategies, and that their child received significantly more services. We also found that there were treatment differences across the two study sites in several outcomes. Implications: The intervention for Latinx parents of children with autism spectrum disorder was efficacious and could be maintained, and that site-specific policy and service differences may need to be examined in future research to inform dissemination and implementation.

scholarly journals FASTER and SCOTT&EVA trainings for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludger Tebartz van Elst ◽  
Thomas Fangmeier ◽  
Ulrich Max Schaller ◽  
Oliver Hennig ◽  
Meinhard Kieser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Computer Based Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Computer Based

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition with a prevalence rate above 1%, characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction; restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities; and a preference for sameness and routines. The majority of adult ASD patients suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. Therapy options for adult ASD patients are lacking, with presently no available evidence-based interventions in Germany. Recently, two interventions to improve social responsiveness have been published. FASTER (“Freiburger Asperger-Spezifische Therapie für ERwachsene” = Freiburg Asperger-specific therapy for adults) is a manualized group psychotherapy program including three modules on psychoeducation, stress regulation management, and non-verbal and verbal social communication training with videotaped tasks. SCOTT&EVA (“Social Cognition Training Tool”, and its enhancement “Emotionen Verstehen und Ausdruecken” = understanding and expressing emotions) is a computer-based training program to enhance social cognition including video and audio material of emotional expressions and complex real-life social situations. Initial studies for both programs have shown good feasibility and efficacy. Methods Three hundred sixty adult participants with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will take part in a randomized controlled three-armed multi-center trial to prove the efficacy of manualized group psychotherapy and a manualized computer-based training program. Both interventions will be compared with a treatment as usual (TAU) group, aiming to establish evidence-based psychotherapy approaches for adult individuals with ASD. The primary outcome is evaluated by parents, spouses, or others who have sufficient insight into the respective participant’s social communication and interaction, and will be measured with the Social Responsiveness Scale. First, each of both interventions will be compared to TAU. If at least one of the differences is significant, both interventions will be compared against each other. The primary outcome will be measured at baseline (T0) and 4 months after baseline (T1). Discussion The trial is the first to validate psychiatric therapeutic and training interventions for adult ASD patients in Germany. A trial is needed because the prevalence of ASD in adulthood without intellectual disability is high, and no evidence-based intervention can be offered in Germany. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00017817. Registered on 20 April 2020.

RELATIONSHIP AMONG SENSORY ISSUES AND REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

2020 ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
OJS Admin
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Communication Impairments ◽  
Autism Disorder

Sensory issues and Repetitive Behaviors are the key features of Autism Disorder Syndrome (ASD). This is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social communication impairments and the occurrence ofrestricted and repeated behavioral habits and desires, including irregular responses to sensory stimuli.

scholarly journals Lexical Development in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): How ASD May Affect Intake From the Input

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 2659-2672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudha Arunachalam ◽  
Rhiannon J. Luyster
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Lexical Representation ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Learning Situation ◽  
Lexical Development ◽  
The Social ◽  
Processing Demands

Purpose Most children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have below-age lexical knowledge and lexical representation. Our goal is to examine ways in which difficulties with social communication and language processing that are often associated with ASD may constrain these children's abilities to learn new words and to explore whether minimizing the social communication and processing demands of the learning situation can lead to successful learning. Method In this narrative review of recent work on lexical development in ASD, we describe key findings on children's acquisition of nouns, pronouns, and verbs and outline our research program currently in progress aimed at further elucidating these issues. Conclusion Our review of studies that examine lexical development in children with ASD suggests that innovative intervention approaches that take into account both the social communication and processing demands of the learning situation may be particularly beneficial. Presentation Video https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7324013

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