Social Skills Teaching for Individuals with Autism: Integrating Research into Practice

by Keith C Radley, Evan H. Dart

Overview

This book examines current trends and practices in social skills instruction for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on empirical support of current practices and for which populations such practices have been most frequently evaluated (e.g., ages, levels of functioning). It details key practices that may be implemented as social skills teaching strategies as well as the theoretical underpinnings of the teaching strategies, relevant empirical support, and a guide to utilization supported by the empirical evaluations. These guides to utilization are a practical tool for implementation of commonly evaluated social skills teaching strategies. In addition, the book describes limitations of social skills teaching and offers recommendations for future research and intervention strategies that may overcome its current limitations.

Key topics featured include:

• Video modeling and social skills training for individuals with ASD.
• Behavioral skills training for ASD.
• Peer-mediated teaching of persons with autism.
• Social narratives of individuals with ASD.

Social Skills Teaching for Individuals with Autism is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other professionals in clinical child and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, and all interrelated disciplines.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030916657
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	12/14/2021
Series:	Springer Series on Child and Family Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	473 KB

About the Author

Keith C. Radley, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NCSP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. He completed his doctoral training in educational psychology at the University of Utah in 2011. Dr. Radley is a licensed psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and nationally certified school psychologist. His research interests include social skills teaching and other supports for individuals with developmental disabilities, student behavior support in educational settings, and data collection, visualization, and analysis within single case design.

 

Evan H. Dart, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of South Florida. He graduated from the school psychology doctoral program at Louisiana State University in 2013. Dr. Dart is a licensed psychologist and a board-certified behavior analyst whose research interests include school-based interventions for students at-risk for behavioral disorders, behavior assessment methods, and the use of progress monitoring data to make decisions about student performance

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Autism Spectrum Disorder.- Chapter 2. Social Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder.- Chapter 3. Video Modeling.- Chapter 4. Behavioral Skills Training.- Chapter 5. Social Stories.- Chapter 6. Peer-Mediated Teaching.- Chapter 7. Antecedent Strategies.- Chapter 8. Manualized Social Skills Curricula.- Chapter 9. Self-Management.- Chapter 10. Other Behavior Analytic Interventions.- Chapter 11. Didactic Instruction.- Chapter 12. Limitations and Future Research Directions.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book discusses current evidence-based practices of teaching social skills to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It looks at theoretical approaches, specific teaching strategies, and ideas for future research. It is part of the "Springer Series on Child and Family Studies".
Purpose: According to information on the back cover, "this book examines current trends and practices in social skills instruction for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on empirical support of current practices and for which populations such practices have been most frequently evaluated (e.g., ages levels of functioning)." Those are very worthy objectives. The book meets the stated objectives.
Audience: According to information on the back cover, the book "is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students as well as clinicians, therapists, and other professionals in clinical child and school psychology, behavioral therapy/rehabilitation, social work, public health, and all interrelated disciplines." The book meets the needs of its intended audience. The authors are credible authorities in the subject matter of the book.
Features: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was once thought to be a rare disorder but now it is commonly encountered in schools and the community. The assessment process for social skills training begins with specifically defining the problem. Video Modeling and Video Self-Modeling are intervention strategies that have been used for many decades. Behavior skills training helps patients by utilizing four components: instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Social narratives have also been used for a long time to enhance skill acquisition. Peer-mediated strategies are flexible interventions and cost-effective. Antecedent interventions cue the individual for appropriate social responses. Manualized social skills curricula help clinicians who want a more structured approach. Self-management strategies help increase the length and frequency of appropriate social behavior. Behavioral techniques including differential reinforcement and chaining have been used successfully with difficult behaviors. The book ends with a discussion of clinicians being flexible and eliciting feedback from clients and their families. The book is very readable and contains clinical illustrations, which are very helpful in seeing how to apply behavioral principles in real-life situations.
Assessment: This book provides different intervention strategies that can be used with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who have social skills deficits. The clinical vignettes are invaluable for seeing how interventions can be applied in real life. Clinicians and researchers will find this volume a great addition to their libraries.

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