The Effectiveness of Social Skills Training Groups for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Hotton, M., & Coles, S. (2016).
Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 3(1), 68-81.
This systematic review investigates the effects of social skills training groups to improve the social interaction and communication of adults and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
Not stated
1994-2014
All peer-reviewed studies including randomized controlled trials, single case multiple baseline and quasi-experimental designs
13
Approximately half of the included studies (6/13 studies) examined the effects of the UCLA Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) on adults and adolescents on the autism spectrum. Overall, PEERS was found to improve social interaction, social skills knowledge, and friendship quality post treatment. Two studies also found that PEERS had significant improvements in distal outcomes for mental health. Other group-based social skills training (e.g., Aspirations program) had mixed results for social interaction and communication outcomes. Limitations across all studies included lack of experimental design and small sample sizes. Therefore, further research is warranted on the true effects of group-based social skills training on adults and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
