Replication of the The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 155
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change from Baseline Social Responsiveness Scale Score after Intervention
Study Overview
Brief Summary
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.
Detailed Description
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 Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 13 Years to 17 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Between 13 and 17 years of age
- •Must be a Pennsylvania resident
- •A primary diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, as confirmed by the Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD; Mayes, 2012)
- •English as primary language spoken
- •Ability to fluently speak in full sentences
- •A verbal IQ of 85 or above on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition(KBIT-2; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990)
Exclusion Criteria
- •A significant language delay
- •Difficulty with aggression directed at peers
- •A primary thought disorder
- •A secondary disorder of anxiety or depression so severe as to prevent the individual's participation in the treatment
- •Low social motivation demonstrated through formalized assessment and/or by responses given to screening interviews assessing treatment goals
Arms & Interventions
Social Skills Intervention
The intervention is a 12-week social skills training program that will consist of a 90 minute group therapy session followed by a 90 minute peer generalization session (in the form of a photography class with typically developing peers) meeting once per week. Each cohort will consist of 6 adolescents with Aspergers or high-functioning autism, who will be joined by 6 typically-developing peers for the photography class. During the group therapy session adolescents will discuss and watch video clips addressing social skills topics relevant to their age group. They will have a chance to practice these skills when paired with a typically developing peer for the photography class.
Intervention: Social Skills Intervention (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change from Baseline Social Responsiveness Scale Score after Intervention
Time Frame: One Week Post-Intervention
The Social Responsiveness Scale is a 65 - item survey designed to measure social competence.
Video recording of Social Interaction
Time Frame: One Week Post-Intervention
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.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change from Baseline Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children after Intervention(One Week Post-Intervention)
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at 3 month Follow Up(3 Month Follow Up)
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)after Intervention(One Week Post-Intervention)
- Change from Baseline Loneliness Scale after Intervention(One Week Post Intervention)
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) after Intervention(One Week Post-Intervention)
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)at 3 Month Follow Up(3 Month Follow Up)
- Change from Baseline Loneliness Scale at 3-month Follow Up(3 Month Follow Up)
- Change from Baseline Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children at 3 month Follow Up(3 Month Follow Up)
Investigators
Michael Murray
MD
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center