Replication of the The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study Details
Study Description
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.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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N/A |
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
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Experimental: 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. |
Behavioral: Social Skills Intervention
Twelve week manual based social skills curriculum targeting social fluency and responsiveness.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change from Baseline Social Responsiveness Scale Score after Intervention [One Week Post-Intervention]
The Social Responsiveness Scale is a 65 - item survey designed to measure social competence.
- Video recording of Social Interaction [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 Outcome Measures
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) after Intervention [One Week Post-Intervention]
The SDQ is a 25 item survey that asks about positive and negative attributes.
- Change from Baseline Loneliness Scale after Intervention [One Week Post Intervention]
The Loneliness Scale is a 24-item survey that assesses social and emotional loneliness.
- Change from Baseline Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children after Intervention [One Week Post-Intervention]
The MASC is a 39-item survey that assesses anxiety symptoms in children.
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)after Intervention [One Week Post-Intervention]
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is a 25 item survey that asks about positive and negative attributes.
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire 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]
- Change from Baseline Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parent form)at 3 Month Follow Up [3 Month Follow Up]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Between 13 and 17 years of age
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Must be a Pennsylvania resident
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A primary diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, as confirmed by the Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD; Mayes, 2012)
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English as primary language spoken
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Ability to fluently speak in full sentences
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A verbal IQ of 85 or above on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition(KBIT-2; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990)
Exclusion Criteria:
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A significant language delay
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Difficulty with aggression directed at peers
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A primary thought disorder
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A secondary disorder of anxiety or depression so severe as to prevent the individual's participation in the treatment
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Low social motivation demonstrated through formalized assessment and/or by responses given to screening interviews assessing treatment goals
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | Penn State Hershey Psychiatry Clinic | Hershey | Pennsylvania | United States | 17033 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Michael Murray, MD, Penn State College of Medicine
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 42565EP