Social Skills Training Group Effectiveness in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®): developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (E. A. Laugeson \& F. Frankel, 2010). This is a parent-assisted, manualized social skills training program that addresses crucial areas of social functioning for adolescents. Psycho-education and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques are employed to help adolescents develop ecologically valid skills for making and maintaining friendships.

Study summary

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, and the presence of restricted, repetitive behavior and interests, affecting 1 in 68 children. Although atypical social deficits onset in early childhood, their social relationships with peers may remain a challenge or even worsen for individuals with ASD throughout the school years and beyond, as social contexts increase in complexity and pose higher social expectations.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) — 7 weeks
  Interview with caregiver of autistic participants. Total of 93 items coding from 1 to 9. Higher the score, worse the syptom
• The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) — 7 weeks
  Observe the autistic participant during the interview. the examinee's condition is classified as autism spectrum if the combined score across two domains of social interaction and communication is ≥7, and as autism if the combined score is ≥12. In Module 2, a combined score of ≥8 corresponds to autism spectrum, and a combined score of ≥12 corresponds to autism
• Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) — 7 weeks
  50 statement scoring from 1 to 4. higher the score, worse the syptom
• Friendship Quality Scale (FQS) — 7 weeks
  23 questions scoring from 1 to 5. Higher the score, better the quality of friendship
• The Assessing Emotions Scale (AES) — 7 weeks
  score range from 33 to 165. higher the score, better the emotional intelligence
• Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) — 7 weeks
  65 questions range from 1 to 4. higher the score, worse the symptom.
• Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (SAICA) — 7 weeks
  17 scenarios scoring from 1 to 4. Higher the score, better the capability
• Quality of Play Questionnaire (QPQ) — 7 weeks
  10 questions scoring from 0 to 3. Higher the score, worse the quality of play. Also, asked for frequency and number of participant in the play
• Test of Adolescents Social Skills Knowledge (TASSK) — 7 weeks
  score range from 0 to 22. Higher the score, greater the knowledge of taught social skills
• Empathy Quotient (EQ) — 7 weeks
  60 questions score from 0 to 3. Higher the score, greater the empathy
• Friendship Questionnaire (FQ) — 7 weeks
  score from 0 to 135. higher the score, the more enjoyment of friendship

Trial sites (1)

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