Advanced Social Communication Skills for Young Children With Autism: A Systematic Review of Single-Case Intervention Studies

Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Hansen, S. G., Frantz, R. J., et al. (2017).

Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 4(3), 225-242.

This systematic review investigates the effect of social communication interventions on advanced social skills (e.g., perspective taking, advanced social play skills, conversational skills, and humor) in children on the autism spectrum aged 4-12 years.

Not stated

1999-2014

Peer-reviewed articles with single subject designs

18

Findings demonstrated a small positive effect of social communication interventions on advanced social skills in children on the autism spectrum aged 4-12 years. Results for specific social communication interventions were as follows:<br /> <ul> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Social narratives: A medium to large effect of intervention was noted, with targets of initiating, joining, and/or maintaining peer conversations as well as utilizing eye contact and smiling.</span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Scripts: A medium effect of intervention was noted, with the target of increasing peer interactions. For a target of establishing play routines, the effect size was unable to be determined secondary to the study utilizing a changing criterion design.</span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Peer-mediated: A medium to large effect of intervention was noted, with targets of requesting objects, appropriate attention getting behaviors, and mastery of abstract concepts. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Video modeling: A weak to large effect of the intervention was noted, with targets of appropriate attention getting behaviors, requesting assistance, and sharing of items. </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Self-management: A medium to large effect of the intervention was noted, with targets of increasing communication with peers, elaborating on the responses of others, and asking reciprocal questions </span></li> <li><span style="color: #333333;">Packaged interventions: A medium to large effect of the intervention was noted, with targets of appropriate conversational responses, good sportsmanship, and spontaneous sharing skills </span></li> </ul> <span style="color: #333333;">Weak methodological rigor, small sample sizes, and homogeneity across studies are limitations to this review. Further research is warranted to determine the true effect of social communication intervention on advanced social skills in this population.</span>