While the number of children diagnosed with high-functioning autistism spectrum disorders (HFASD) continues to rise, the number of research-based methods to meet the needs of this population lags behind. Social dysfunction is perhaps the most pervasive and debilitating deficit for those diagnosed with HFASD. This article presents a narrative review of representative research conducted since the year 2000 concerning social skills interventions for school-aged children and adolescents with HFASD and presents conclusions based on the studies reviewed.
Adams, L., Gouvousis, A., VanLue, M., & Waldron, C. ( 2004). Social story intervention: Improving communication skills in a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(2), 87-94.
2.
Apple, A.L., Billingsley, F., & Schwartz, I.S. (2005). Effects of video modeling alone and with self-management on compliment-giving behaviors of children with high-functioning ASD. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions , 7(1), 33-46.
3.
Barnhill, G.P., Cook, K.T., Tebbenkamp, K., & Myles, B.S. ( 2002). The effectiveness of social skills intervention targeting nonverbal communication for adolescents with Asperger syndrome and related pervasive developmental delays. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 17(2), 112-118.
4.
Barnhill, G.P., & Myles, B.S. ( 2001). Attributional style and depression in adolescents with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions , 3(3), 175-182.
5.
Baron-Cohen, S., Leslie, A.M., & Frith, U. ( 1985). Does the autistic child have a "theory of mind"? Cognition, 21(1), 37-46.
6.
Barry, T.D., Klinger, L.G., Lee, J.M., Palardy, N., Gilmore, T., & Bodin, S.D. ( 2003). Examining the effectiveness of an outpatient clinic-based social skills group for high-functioning children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(6), 685-701.
7.
Bauminger, N. ( 2007). Brief report: Individual social-multi-modal intervention for HFASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(8), 1593-1604.
8.
Bauminger, N., Shulman, C., & Agam, G. ( 2004). The link between perceptions of self and of social relationships in high-functioning children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 16(2), 193-214.
9.
Bauminger, N. ( 2002). The facilitation of social-emotional understanding and social interaction in high-functioning children with autism: Intervention outcomes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32(4), 283-298.
10.
Beaumont, R., & Sofronoff, K. ( 2008). A multi-component social skills intervention for children with Asperger syndrome: The Junior Detective Training Program. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(8), 895-895.
11.
Bernad-Ripoll, S. ( 2007). Using a self-as-model video combined with social stories to help a child with Asperger syndrome understand emotions. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(2), 100-106.
12.
Bock, M.A. ( 2007). The impact of social-behavioral learning strategy training on the social interaction skills of four students with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(2), 88-95.
13.
Broderick, C., Caswell, R., Gregory, S., Marzolini, S., & Wilson, O. ( 2002). ‘Can I join the club?’ A social integration scheme for adolescents with Asperger syndrome. Autism, 6(4), 427-431.
14.
Brownell, M.D. ( 2002). Musically adapted social stories to modify behaviors in students with autism: Four case studies. Journal of Music Therapy, 39(2), 117-144.
15.
Carter, C., Meckes, L., Pritchard, L., Swensen, S., Wittman, P.P., & Velde, B. ( 2004). The friendship club: An after-school program for children with Asperger syndrome. Family & Community Health, 27(2), 143-150.
16.
Chiang, I.T., Lee, Y., Frey, G., & McCormick, B. ( 2004). Testing the situationally modified social rank theory on friendship quality in male youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 38(3), 261-274.
17.
Chung, K.M., Reavis, S., Mosconi, M., Drewry, J., Matthews, T., & Tasse, M.J. ( 2007). Peer-mediated social skills training program for young children with high-functioning autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28(4), 423-436.
18.
Church, C., Alisanski, S., & Amanullah, S. ( 2000). The social, behavioral, and academic experiences of children with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 15(1), 12-20.
19.
Crager, D.E., & Horvath, L.S. ( 2003). The application of social skills training in the treatment of a child with Asperger’s disorder. Clinical Case Studies , 2(1), 34-49.
20.
Duke, M.P., Nowicki, S., & Martin, E.A. ( 1996). Teaching your child the language of social success. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. Farrugia, S., & Hudson, J. (2006). Anxiety in adolescents with Asperger syndrome: Negative thoughts, behavioral problems, and life interference. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21(1), 25-35.
21.
Gray, C.A., & Garand, J.D. ( 1993). Social stories: Improving responses of students with autism with accurate social information. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 8(1), 1-10.
22.
Gutstein, S.E., Burgess, A.F., & Montfort, K. ( 2007). Evaluation of the Relationship Development Intervention Program. Autism, 11(5), 397-411.
23.
Gutstein, S.E., & Whitney, T. ( 2002). Asperger syndrome and the development of social competence . Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 17(3), 161-171.
24.
Hadwin, J., Baron-Cohen, S., Howlin, P., & Hill, K. ( 1996). Can we teach children with autism to understand emotions, belief, or pretence?Development and Psychopathology, 8(2), 345-365.
25.
Horner, R.H., Carr, E.G., Strain, P.S., Todd, A.W., & Reed, H.K. ( 2002). Problem behavior interventions for young children with autism: A research synthesis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32(5), 423-446.
26.
Kalyva, E., & Avramidis, E. ( 2005). Improving communication between children with autism and their peers through the "Circle of Friends": A small-scale intervention study. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities , 18(3), 253-261.
27.
Kamps, D.M., Kravits, T., Lopez, A.G., Kemmerer, K., Potucek, J., & Harrell, L.G. ( 1998). What do the peers think? Social validity of peer-mediated programs. Education and Treatment of Children, 21(2), 107-134.
28.
Kamps, D., Royer, J., Dugan, E., Kravits, T., Gonzalez-Lopez, A., Garcia, J., et al. (2002). Peer training to facilitate social interaction for elementary students with autism and their peers. Exceptional Children, 68(2), 173-187.
29.
Keeling, K., Myles, B.S., Gagnon, E., & Simpson, R.L. ( 2003). Using the Power Card Strategy to teach sportsmanship skills to a child with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 18(2), 105-111.
30.
Koegel, R.L. ( 2007). Social development in individuals with high functioning autism and Asperger disorder. Research & Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities, 32(2), 140-141.
31.
Koegel, R.L., Werner, G.A., Vismara, L.A., & Koegel, L.K. ( 2005). The effectiveness of contextually supported play date interactions between children with autism and typically developing peers. Research and Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities, 30(2), 93-102.
32.
Laugeson, E.A., Frankel, F., Mogil, C., & Dillon, A.R. ( 2009). Parent-assisted social skills training to improve friendships in teens with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(4), 596-606.
33.
LeGoff, D.B. ( 2004). Use of LEGO as a therapeutic medium for improving social competence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 34(5), 557-571.
34.
LeGoff, D.B., & Sherman, M. ( 2006). Long-term outcome of social skills intervention based on interactive LEGO play. Autism, 10(4), 317-329.
35.
Lewis, L., Trushell, J., & Woods, P. ( 2005). Effects of ICT group work on interactions and social acceptance of a primary pupil with Asperger’s syndrome. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(5), 739-755.
36.
Lopata, C., Thomeer, M.L., Volker, M.A., & Nida, R.E. ( 2006). Effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral treatment on the social behaviors of children with Asperger disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21(4), 237-244.
37.
Mandell, D.S., Novak, M.M., & Zubritsky, C.D. (2005). Factors associated with age of diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics, 116(6), 1480-1486.
38.
McConnell, S.R. ( 2002). Interventions to facilitate social interaction for young children with autism: Review of available research and recommendations for educational intervention and future research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32(5), 351-372.
39.
McEachin, J.J., Smith, T., & Lovaas, O.I. ( 1993). Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97(4), 359-372.
40.
Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General (1998). Washington, DC: United States Surgeon General.
Morrison, L., Kamps, D., Garcia, J., & Parker, D. ( 2001). Peer mediation and monitoring strategies to improve initiations and social skills for students with autism. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 3(4), 237-250.
43.
Mrug, S., & Hodgens, J.B. ( 2008). Behavioral summer treatment program improves social and behavioral functioning of four children with Asperger’s disorder. Clinical Case Studies, 7(3), 171-190.
44.
Odom, S.L., Brown, W.H., Frey, T., Karasu, N., Smith-Canter, L.L., & Strain, P.S. ( 2003). Evidence-based practices for young children with autism: Contributions for single-subject design research. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 18(3), 166-175.
45.
Owens, G., Granader, Y., Humphrey, A., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). LEGO® therapy and the social use of language programme: An evaluation of two social skills interventions for children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(10), 1944-1957.
46.
Parsons, S., Leonard, A., & Mitchell, P. ( 2006). Virtual environments for social skills training: Comments from two adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder. Computers & Education, 47(2), 186-206.
47.
Pelham, W.E., Jr., Fabiano, G.A., Gnagy, E.M., Greiner, A.R., Hoza, B., Hibbs, E.D., et al. (2005). The role of summer treatment programs in the context of comprehensive treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In Euthymia D. Hibbs & Peter S. Jensen (Eds.), Psychosocial treatments for child and adolescent disorders: Empirically based strategies for clinical practice (2nd ed., pp. 377-409). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association .
48.
Pierce, K., & Schreibman, L. (1997). Using peer trainers to promote social behavior in autism: Are they effective at enhancing multiple social modalities? Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 12(4), 207-218.
49.
Rao, P.A., Beidel, D.C., & Murray, M.J. ( 2008). Social skills interventions for children with Asperger’s syndrome or high-functioning autism: A review and recommendations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(2), 353-361.
50.
Rinaldi, W. ( 1995). Social use of language programme. (Primary and Pre- School Teaching Pack). Windsor: NF.
51.
Ruble, L., Willis, H., & McLaughlin Crabtree, V. (2008). Social skills group therapy for autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Case Studies, 7(4), 287-300.
52.
Sanderson, W.C., & Woody, S. ( 1995). Manuals for empirically validated treatments: A project of the task force on psychological interventions. Clinical Psychologist, 48(4), 7-11.
53.
Sansosti, F.J., & Powell-Smith, K.A. (2006). Using social stories to improve the social behavior of children with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 8(1), 43-57.
54.
Sansosti, F.J., & Powell-Smith, K.A. (2008). Using computer-presented social stories and video models to increase the social communication skills of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 10(3), 162-178.
55.
Scattone, D. ( 2007). Social skills interventions for children with autism . Psychology in the Schools, 44(7), 717-726.
56.
Scattone, D., Tingstrom, D.H., & Wilczynski, S.M. (2006). Increasing appropriate social interactions of children with autism spectrum disorders using social stories. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities , 21(4), 211-222.
57.
Schopler, E., Mesibov, G.B., & Hearsey, K. ( 1995). Structured teaching in the TEACCH system. New York, NY: Plenum Press.
58.
Smith, T., Scahill, L., Dawson, G., Guthrie, D., Lord, C., Odom, S., et al. (2007). Designing research studies on psychosocial interventions in autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(2), 354-366.
59.
Solomon, M., Goodlin-Jones, B.L., & Anders, T.F. ( 2004). A social adjustment enhancement intervention for high functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder NOS. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 34(6), 649-668.
60.
Stewart, K.K., Carr, J.E., & LeBlanc, L.A. ( 2007). Evaluation of family-implemented behavioral skills training for teaching social skills to a child with Asperger’s disorder. Clinical Case Studies, 6(3), 252-262.
61.
Thiemann, K.S., & Goldstein, H. ( 2001). Social stories, written text cues, and video feedback: Effects on social communication of children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34(4), 425-446.
62.
Tse, J., Strulovitch, J., Tagalakis, V., Meng, L., & Fombonne, E. ( 2007). Social skills training for adolescents with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 1960-1968.
63.
Vernon, D.S., Schumaker, J.G., & Deshler, D.D. ( 1996). The SCORE skills for cooperative groups. Lawrence, KS: Edge Enterprises.
64.
Webb, B.J., Miller, S.P., Pierce, T.B., Strawser, S., & Jones, W.P. ( 2004). Effects of social skill instruction for high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(1), 53-62.
65.
Weidle, B., Bolme, B., & Hoeyland, A.L. (2006). Are peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome helpful? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 11(1), 45-62.
