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Effectiveness of a Manualized Summer Social Treatment Program for High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

This paper presents findings from the final two years of a four-year study investigating a manualized social treatment program for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders. The study sought to (1) replicate and expand findings from years one and two; (2) compare outcomes of participants who received response-cost feedback versus non-categorical feedback; and (3) provide further evidence of program feasibility. Results indicated significant improvements in social skills and problem behaviors, however no significant differences for face emotion recognition. Measures of several socially-related behaviors yielded mixed results based on rater. While parent ratings did not appear to favor one feedback format, staff ratings appeared to favor the response-cost format on some measures. Results also provided support for program feasibility.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 409 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260-1000, USA

    Christopher Lopata, Martin A. Volker & Gloria K. Lee

  2. Summit Educational Resources, Getzville, NY, USA

    Marcus L. Thomeer

  3. Department of Teacher Education, Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, USA

    Robert E. Nida

Authors
  1. Christopher Lopata
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  2. Marcus L. Thomeer
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  3. Martin A. Volker
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  4. Robert E. Nida
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  5. Gloria K. Lee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher Lopata.

Appendix

Appendix

Skillstreaming skills

Ages 6–10 years

Ages 11–13 years

Listening

x

x

Asking for help

x

x

Contributing to discussions

x

x

Having a conversation

x

x

Introducing yourself

x

x

Joining in

x

x

Accepting a compliment

x

x

Apologizing

x

x

Giving instructions

x

x

Knowing your feelings

x

x

Expressing your feelings

x

x

Recognizing another’s feelings

x

x

Expressing concern for another

x

x

Dealing with another’s anger

x

x

Using self-control

x

x

Responding to teasing

x

x

Avoiding trouble

x

x

Negotiating

x

x

Being a good sport

x

x

Dealing with being left out

x

x

Saying thank you

x

 

Following instructions

x

 

Offering to help an adult

x

 

Asking a question

x

 

Ignoring distractions

x

 

Ending a conversation

x

 

Offering help to a classmate

x

 

Giving a complement

x

 

Sharing

x

 

Showing understanding of another’s feelings

x

 

Dealing with your anger

x

 

Asking permission

x

 

Accepting consequences

x

 

Responding to failure

 

x

Setting a goal

 

x

Deciding what caused a problem

 

x

Standing up for your rights

 

x

Making a complaint

 

x

Answering a complaint

 

x

Helping others

 

x

Arranging problems by importance

 

x

Dealing with fear

 

x

Responding to failure

 

x

Dealing with contradictory messages

 

x

Dealing with group pressure

 

x

Understanding the feelings of others

 

x

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Lopata, C., Thomeer, M.L., Volker, M.A. et al. Effectiveness of a Manualized Summer Social Treatment Program for High-Functioning Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders . J Autism Dev Disord 38, 890–904 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-007-0460-7

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