Replication of the The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

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.

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