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Randomized Clinical Trial Replication of a Psychosocial Treatment for Children with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author(s) -
Thomeer Marcus L.,
Lopata Christopher,
Volker Martin A.,
Toomey Jennifer A.,
Lee Gloria K.,
Smerbeck Audrey M.,
Rodgers Jonathan D.,
McDonald Christin A.,
Smith Rachael A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/pits.21647
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychology , randomized controlled trial , autism , clinical psychology , high functioning autism , autism spectrum disorder , social skills , intervention (counseling) , fidelity , developmental psychology , psychiatry , medicine , surgery , electrical engineering , engineering
This replication randomized clinical trial examined the efficacy of a comprehensive psychosocial intervention for children aged 7 to 12 years with high‐functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASDs). Participants were randomly assigned to treatment or wait‐list conditions. Treatment included instruction and therapeutic activities targeting social skills, face‐emotion recognition, interest expansion, and interpretation of non‐literal language. A response‐cost program was used to reduce problem behaviors and increase skills acquisition. Significant treatment effects were found for five of seven primary outcome measures (parent ratings and direct child measures). Secondary measures (i.e., staff ratings) corroborated gains reported by parents. Children maintained social gains 2 to 3 months post‐treatment. High levels of parent, child, and staff satisfaction were found, along with high levels of treatment fidelity. Standardized effect size estimates were predominantly in the medium and large ranges for significant outcome variables.