TY - JOUR
T1 - A social competence intervention for young children with high functioning autism and asperger syndrome
T2 - A pilot study
AU - Minne, Elizabeth Portman
AU - Semrud-Clikeman, Margaret
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - The key features of Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) include marked and sustained impairment in social interactions. A multi-session, small group program was developed to increase social perception based on the assumption perceptual or interpretive problems underlying these social difficulties. Additionally, the group format espoused a play therapy orientation and the use of sociodramatic play was the primary therapeutic modality used. Qualitative analyses of the data resulted in an explanation of the key changes in social interactions that took place through the course of the intervention. Although each participant's experience in this group was unique, all children in this program demonstrated improvements in their social interactions, as they experienced development both emotionally and behaviorally. Findings suggest that, despite their rigid interests and behavior patterns, the social limitations of these children improved when provided with the necessary environmental resources.
AB - The key features of Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) include marked and sustained impairment in social interactions. A multi-session, small group program was developed to increase social perception based on the assumption perceptual or interpretive problems underlying these social difficulties. Additionally, the group format espoused a play therapy orientation and the use of sociodramatic play was the primary therapeutic modality used. Qualitative analyses of the data resulted in an explanation of the key changes in social interactions that took place through the course of the intervention. Although each participant's experience in this group was unique, all children in this program demonstrated improvements in their social interactions, as they experienced development both emotionally and behaviorally. Findings suggest that, despite their rigid interests and behavior patterns, the social limitations of these children improved when provided with the necessary environmental resources.
KW - Asperger Syndrome
KW - Autism
KW - Group Intervention
KW - Social Competence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84868640618&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84868640618&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1362361311423384
DO - 10.1177/1362361311423384
M3 - Article
C2 - 22087045
AN - SCOPUS:84868640618
SN - 1362-3613
VL - 16
SP - 586
EP - 602
JO - Autism
JF - Autism
IS - 6
ER -