Autism Therapy: social communication

definition of social communication: not yet defined.

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Brief Report: Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Parent-Reported Autism Symptoms in School-Age Children with High-Functioning Autism
J Autism Dev Disorder, by Wood, JJ, Drahota A., Sze K., Dyke Van M., Decker K., Fujii C., Bahng C., and Renno P., published in 2009, summarized Apr 15, 2010

Core autism symptoms such as social communication deficits may be improved by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Social communication problems have proven hard to change through social skills training. This pilot study was designed to see the effect of a CBT program on parent-reported core autism symptoms. The study had 19 children (7 to 11 years old) with high-functioning autism who received 16 sessions of CBT. The CBT program focused on children’s emotion regulation, on-site social coaching, parent training, and school support. The authors found that parent-reported autism symptoms were lower in the CBT group than in the waitlist control group.


Peer-Mediated Teaching and Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Preschool-Aged Children with Autism
Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, by Trembath, D., Balandin S., Togher L., and Stancliffe RJ, published in 2009, summarized Nov 24, 2009

Preschool children with autism may learn social communication skills from typically developing peers in an inclusive classroom.

Children at school may be able to teach their classmates with autism many things Children can use naturalistic teaching for social, communication, or academic skills. In this study, 6 typically developing children were taught how to use naturalistic teaching to help 3 classmates with autism learn to communicate; all the children were 3-5 years old. All 3 children with autism showed improvements in communication behaviors in the classroom and in the lunch room. Over time, only 1 of the 3 children continued to use the skills. The authors think that children as young as 3 years old can help teach their peers in inclusive classrooms.


Using the SCERTS Model Assessment Tool to Identify Music Therapy Goals for Clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of Music Therapy, by Walworth, DD, Register D., and Engel JN, published in 2009, summarized Nov 20, 2009

A behavioral and communication test called “SCERTS” may help music therapists set therapy goals for people with autism.

Music therapists can use a behavioral assessment tool (or test) called Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS). SCERTS helps music therapists learn the strengths and weaknesses of people with autism. Knowing what skills people need help with can guide the design of a therapy program. SCERTS is helpful for testing communication, emotional, and behavioral skills that might be helped with music therapy. SCERTS can also be helpful for measuring progress during therapy.


Islands of Loneliness: Exploring Social Interaction through the Autobiographies of Individuals with Autism
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, by Causton-Theoharis, J., Ashby C., and Cosier M., published in 2009, summarized Nov 6, 2009

People with autism expressed loneliness and a desire for better social interactions when they wrote about themselves.

The authors of this article read seven books written by people with autism about themselves (autobiographies). The book authors had a range of social communication skills; three of them used facilitated communication. The people with autism said that they were aware of their own social difficulties. They wrote moving passages about feeling lonely. They described how they tried to reach out to people, and sometimes failed. The authors of this article think that people with autism may very much want to make social connections, even if it seems like they are not interested during therapy. The article authors feel that therapists and parents should be aware that people with autism may have a strong desire to connect with others.


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Sunshine Room is Full of Sensory Integration Intervention

Apr 28, 2009

Snell's Pre-Kindergarten in California is home to the Sunshine Room, a place where sensory integration is the goal. Donna Johnson, school director, explains that the room provides therapy for children with autism - those who are super-sensitive as well as those who need pressure touch. The Sunshine Room has active equipment like monkey bars and a ball pit. It also has quiet spots with swings. The room also allows children to interact with their Pre-K peers so that social communication is improved.

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Peer Support Helps with Anti-Bullying in Special Needs School for Teens

Mar 4, 2009

Corley Centre, a special needs school for 11-18 year olds, has joined with other schools in Great Britain and ChildLine in Partnerships (CHIPS) to stop bullying. Many of the youngsters at Corley Centre have been diagnosed with autism, which may limit social communication and social skills. Peer support has been found to help in many social situations, and it was tried at Corley Centre with female students in order to stop incidents of bullying. Each of the schools in the program addressed a different aspect of bullying, but all involved interactions and discussions with girls at the schools. "The whole project aims to develop anti-bullying approaches that can be useful ... and to increase understanding of how practical development can be combined with sound research."

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Kicking Soccer Balls to Kick Autism

Oct 12, 2007

Soccer is teaching a child with autism not just about sports, but about teamwork and social interaction. Sebastian Bakken of TN, joined the YMCA soccer team this year and has developed his feelings of inclusion and increased his social communication. His parents credit early intervention and family advocacy for Sebastian's success.

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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to Social Thinking

Dec 17, 2010 by Anonymous

Social Thinking by WInner is a nice concept and great for therapists who need a recipe for treating social communication skills. However, much more research must be conducted in order to determine the true benefit of this curriculum, as well as to demonstrate that it is in fact evidence-based. Further, research should be conducted by outside parties---not just those who have developed the program.


Responding to Social Thinking

Dec 17, 2010 by Anonymous

Social Thinking by WInner is a nice concept and great for therapists who need a recipe for treating social communication skills. However, much more research must be conducted in order to determine the true benefit of this curriculum, as well as to demonstrate that it is in fact evidence-based. Further, research should be conducted by outside parties---not just those who have developed the program.


Showing 2 results

Please comment on social communication or other autism therapy topics.

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