ERIC Number: EJ1075278
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Oct
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Group Social Skills Interventions for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
Spain, Debbie; Blainey, Sarah H.
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v19 n7 p874-886 Oct 2015
Autism spectrum disorders are characterised by impairments in communication and social interaction. Social skills interventions have been found to ameliorate socio-communication deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Little is known about the effectiveness of social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (hf-ASD)--a clinical population who can present with more subtle core deficits, but comparable levels of impairment and secondary difficulties. A systematic review was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of social skills interventions for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Five studies met the pre-specified review inclusion criteria: two quasi-experimental comparative trials and three single-arm interventions. There was a degree of variation in the structure, duration and content of the social skills interventions delivered, as well as several methodological limitations associated with included studies. Nevertheless, narrative analysis tentatively indicates that group social skills interventions may be effective for enhancing social knowledge and understanding, improving social functioning, reducing loneliness and potentially alleviating co-morbid psychiatric symptoms.
Descriptors: Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Interpersonal Competence, Intervention, Quasiexperimental Design, Comparative Analysis, Correlation, Outcomes of Treatment, Adults, Communication Skills, Group Therapy, Comorbidity, Mental Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Psychological Patterns, Asperger Syndrome, Literature Reviews
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
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