Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Learning Sciences and Human Development

Committee Chair

Reagan Curtis

Committee Co-Chair

Kristen Moilanen

Committee Member

Kristen Moilanen

Committee Member

Trevor Stokes

Committee Member

Abhik Roy

Abstract

Adolescent males with autism spectrum disorder commonly display an increased prevalence of problem behaviors and persistent deficits in social skills when compared to their typically developing peers. The present study deployed a single subject, multiple-baseline design to investigate the use of the social skills training program Super Skills: A Social Skills Group Program for Children with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism and Related Challengesto promote enhanced social skills and minimize problem behaviors. Two groups of adolescent males with autism (N = 6) participated in weekly social skills training groups also containing typically developing peers (N = 3) once a week over an eight-week period. Results from this investigation indicated that social skills training was effective at increasing student fundamental social skills and social initiation skills. Teachers also reported improved relationships amongst the students with autism. Findings did not support a consistent decrease in problem behaviors for all individuals with autism.

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