The objective of this study is to validate a social skills training program manual for adolescents (ages 13-17) with Asperger's Syndrome or high functioning autism. Approximately 150 adolescents with autism spectrum disorders will participate in this study, in groups consisting of 6 adolescents and 6 peer volunteers. Participants will participate in both group therapy and peer generalization sessions (in the form of a photography class) once a week over the course of twelve weeks. Participants and their parents will complete paper and pencil, online, or phone measures and video-recordings to assess the participant's social skills prior to the intervention, at completion of the intervention and three months later.
This study is a pre-test, post-test single group design with post test measures at one week after completion of intervention and follow-up at three months. Approximately 300 adolescents will participate in this study. The study will be conducted in ten cohorts of 12. Each cohort will have 6 participants and 6 adolescent volunteers (peers). Cohorts will be run in a time sequential manner with up to four cohorts running at a time. Participants and their parents will complete pre-test measures including both paper and pencil, online, or phone measures and a video-recording to assess the participant's social interaction skills and fluency. These adolescents will participate in both group therapy and peer generalization sessions once a week over the course of twelve weeks. Upon completion of the intervention, participants and parents will complete paper and pencil, online, or phone measures and video post-test measures. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a follow-up session where the paper and pencil and video measures will be completed again.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
155
Twelve week manual based social skills curriculum targeting social fluency and responsiveness.
Penn State Hershey Psychiatry Clinic
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
Change from Baseline Social Responsiveness Scale Score after Intervention
The Social Responsiveness Scale is a 65 - item survey designed to measure social competence.
Time frame: One Week Post-Intervention
Video recording of Social Interaction
Participants will be filmed in a brief interaction with a typically developing peer which will be coded to obtain social interaction skills and fluency scores.
Time frame: One Week Post-Intervention
Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) after Intervention
The SDQ is a 25 item survey that asks about positive and negative attributes.
Time frame: One Week Post-Intervention
Change from Baseline Loneliness Scale after Intervention
The Loneliness Scale is a 24-item survey that assesses social and emotional loneliness.
Time frame: One Week Post Intervention
Change from Baseline Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children after Intervention
The MASC is a 39-item survey that assesses anxiety symptoms in children.
Time frame: One Week Post-Intervention
Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)after Intervention
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is a 25 item survey that asks about positive and negative attributes.
Time frame: One Week Post-Intervention
Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at 3 month Follow Up
Time frame: 3 Month Follow Up
Change from Baseline Loneliness Scale at 3-month Follow Up
Time frame: 3 Month Follow Up
Change from Baseline Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children at 3 month Follow Up
Time frame: 3 Month Follow Up
Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)at 3 Month Follow Up
Time frame: 3 Month Follow Up
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