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Social Skills Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

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Abstract

Despite the psychosocial difficulties common among young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), little to no evidence-based social skills interventions exist for this population. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, the current study tested the effectiveness of an evidence-based, caregiver-assisted social skills intervention known as PEERS for Young Adults with high-functioning young adults with ASD (ages 18–23) using self- and caregiver-report measures. Results revealed that treated young adults reported significantly less loneliness and improved social skills knowledge, while caregivers reported significant improvements in young adults’ overall social skills, social responsiveness, empathy, and frequency of get-togethers. Results support the effectiveness of using this caregiver-assisted, manualized intervention for young adults with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Connie Kasari, Fred Frankel, Andrew Leuchter, Robert Lieberman, Jennifer Sanderson, Ruth Ellingsen, Dana Lieberman, Sebastián Torres, Laura Knoll, Chloe Koeffler, Kristine McGlennen, and Siena Whitham for their valuable assistance on this study. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the families who participated in this study. This research was supported by NIH Training Grant T32-MH17140, Andrew Leuchter, Principal Investigator. The writing of this paper was partially supported by Organization for Autism Research Grant 20093336, Alexander Gantman, Project Principal Investigator. The second author also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Philip and Aida Siff Educational Foundation toward work on this study and paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Suite 48-243B, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Alexander Gantman & Elizabeth A. Laugeson

  2. Division of Psychological Studies in Education, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Steven K. Kapp

  3. California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Alhambra, CA, 91803, USA

    Kaely Orenski

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  1. Alexander Gantman
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  3. Kaely Orenski
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  4. Elizabeth A. Laugeson
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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Laugeson.

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Gantman, A., Kapp, S.K., Orenski, K. et al. Social Skills Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 1094–1103 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1350-6

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