scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Studies on Social Skills Development for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Al-Masaeed

Aim and Significance: The systematic literature review is developed as an investigation of existing and recommended evidence based social skills and strategies to adopt in improving adolescents with ASD social skills. The systematic review was developed based on the understanding that a majority of the studies have focused on children below 11 years social skills. The need to analsye and establish the age specific social skills and strategies required informed the review development. This ystematic review evaluates the available published studies on group-based social skills interventions in the United States and the realm of Canada to improve the social skills among adolescents with ASD Methods: The systematic review developed an online search for peer reviewed articles published on the Medline, PsycINFO, Psychoarticle, Psychology and behaviour and Web of Science, through a PubMed-NCBI, an EBSCO and the Ovid databases. Key words and phrases were used to search for relevant literature. Once results were obtained, an inclusion and exclusion criteria was applied to narrow down the studies to applicable and most relevant studies. Results and Discussion: Three categories of social skills interventions have been identified to be effective in improving social and communication skills. They are (i) the use of the PEERS, (ii) social skills training group and (iii) group skills training. The recommendation for future research should focus on comparing protocols of various social skills training in clinical settings of the real-world.

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 976-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Yamada ◽  
Yui Miura ◽  
Manabu Oi ◽  
Nozomi Akatsuka ◽  
Kazumi Tanaka ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study examines the efficacy of the Japanese version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), which focuses on improving social functioning through making friends and maintaining good relationships for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disabilities. Originally developed in the United States, PEERS is one of the few evidence-based social skills training programs for youth with ASD. The present study shows that with linguistic and cultural modifications, PEERS is effective in improving social functioning for adolescents with ASD in Japan. Positive results were found specifically in the areas of socialization, communication, knowledge of social skills, autistic mannerisms, and behavioral and emotional problems. In addition, most treatment gains were maintained at a 3-month follow-up assessment. These findings suggest that the Japanese version of PEERS is beneficial across multiple socio-emotional and behavioral domains for adolescents with ASD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e4 ◽  
Author(s):  
McLeod Frampton Gwynette ◽  
Danielle Morriss ◽  
Nancy Warren ◽  
James Truelove ◽  
Jennifer Warthen ◽  
...  

Background Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spend more time using electronic screen media than neurotypical peers; preliminary evidence suggests that computer-assisted or Web-based interventions may be beneficial for social skills acquisition. The current generation of adolescents accesses the Internet through computers or phones almost daily, and Facebook is the most frequently used social media platform among teenagers. This is the first research study to explore the use of Facebook as a therapeutic tool for adolescents with ASD. Objective To study the feasibility and clinical impact of using a Web-based social platform in combination with social skills training for adolescents with ASD. Methods This pilot study enrolled 6 participants (all males; mean age 14.1 years) in an online social skills training group using Facebook. Data was collected on the participants’ social and behavioral functioning at the start and conclusion of the intervention. Outcome measures included the Social Responsiveness Scale-2, the Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scale, and the Project Rex Parent Survey. Participants were surveyed at the conclusion of the intervention regarding their experience. Results No statistically significant differences in measurable outcomes were observed. However, the online addition of Facebook was well received by participants and their parents. The Facebook intervention was able to be executed with a careful privacy protocol in place and at minimal safety risk to participants. Conclusions The utilization of Facebook to facilitate delivery of social skills training for adolescents with ASD appears to be feasible, although the clinical impact of such an addition is still unclear. It is important to note that social difficulties of participants persisted with the addition of the online platform and participants still required assistance to engage with peers in an online environment. A Web-based intervention such as the one utilized in this study has the potential to reach a mass number of patients with ASD and could address disparities in access to in-person treatment services. However, the complexity and evolving nature of Facebook’s website and privacy settings leads to a number of unique online safety concerns that may limit its clinical utility. Issues encountered in our study support the development of an alternative and closed Web-based social platform designed specifically for the target audience with ASD; this platform could be a safer and more easily moderated setting for aiding in social skills development. Despite a small sample size with no statistically significant improvements of target symptoms, the use of electronic screen media as a therapeutic tool for adolescents with ASD is still a promising area of research warranting further investigation. Our study helps inform future obstacles regarding feasibility and safety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e414974287
Author(s):  
Amanda Lima Rubim ◽  
Ana Flávia Lima Teles da Hora

Man, as a social being, needs a behavioral repertoire that guides his relations in society. This varied set of behaviors is called social skills, and can be learned throughout the life cycle. People with neurodevelopmental disorder have a deficit in social relationships as a prominent symptom, requiring reinforcing spaces that enable the construction of a socially skilled behavioral repertoire. Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has aroused the interest of several areas, however, the focus of studies remains in childhood. This study aimed to investigate possibilities of intervention with adults diagnosed with ASD, as a tool for social skills training (SST), a systematic attempt to teach strategies and interpersonal skills in order to improve the quality of the interactions that permeate interpersonal relationships. The methodology was based on a systematic review in the Virtual Health Library, by using the uni-terms “social skills”, “adults”, “autism”. Included were productions available in full, which presented interventions with adults with ASD and the development of social skills. The studies resulting from this selection were fully analyzed. The results discuss the effectiveness of interventions with this population for the development of social skills. It is concluded that SST is a possibility of effective intervention with atypical adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110113
Author(s):  
Catarina Oliveira ◽  
Raquel Simões de Almeida ◽  
António Marques

Introduction This study aims to determine the guidelines for the design of a social skills training programme for people with schizophrenia using virtual reality. Methods This article encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic review of five articles indexed in the databases B-on, PubMed, Clinical trials and Cochrane Library (2010–2020); Study 2, a focus group of occupational therapists trained in mental health and multimedia professionals, in which they discussed the outline of such a programme. Results A set of guidelines were identified as central and consensual which should be included in the programme. It must have multilevel logic and gradual learning, with simulations of everyday situations, in which it is possible to practise the skills of conversation and communication. Virtual reality provides people with schizophrenia with unlimited opportunities, enhancing a personalized intervention. Conclusion Social skills training could be part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia, and virtual reality is a promising tool to complement traditional training, although still little implemented in mental health services. Occupational therapists have a prominent role in the development and application of this because of their knowledge of activity analysis and their ability to facilitate the generalization of skills in different contexts.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107429562110208
Author(s):  
Skip Kumm ◽  
Jacob Reeder ◽  
Erin Farrell

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are likely to require interventions to help them navigate the social demands of the school environment. Several meta-analyses of social skills interventions have been conducted, which have provided guidance and demonstrated the effectiveness of social skills training for students with EBD. This article details a framework for teaching and practicing social skills interventions. Included in it are descriptions of several social skills strategies and ways in which the teaching of them can be individualized to meet the needs of students with EBD.


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