Abstract
Individuals on the autism spectrum often experience pragmatic social conversation difficulties that include showing interest in their conversational partners. This may become particularly evident during adolescence when conversation with peers is the primary medium for social interaction. This study used a multiple baseline design across participants to investigate the effects of a brief intervention package on the partner-focused conversation of three adolescents with autism. Results showed increased partner-focused questions and comments for all participants. Social validity assessments indicated that the intervention led to meaningful improvements in peer conversations.
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CLC and LMB contributed to the study conception and design. Study planning and material preparation, student instruction and check-in/check-out, and/or data collection and coding were performed by AET KB IBK JC AT and AW. Graphs were constructed by KB and edited by CLC. Data analysis was performed by CLC LMB AET KB and JC. The first draft of the manuscript was written by CLC and LMB edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Cole, C.L., Bambara, L.M., Telesford, A.E. et al. Using a Brief Intervention to Improve Partner-Focused Conversation in Adolescents with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 2203–2218 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05510-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05510-5