Effects of a Multimedia Social Skills Program in Increasing Social Responses and Initiations of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of Superheroes Social Skills, a multimedia social skills package, in improving social responsiveness and social initiation behaviors of four elementary school children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The program was implemented in a public school setting in the southwestern United States for 30 min twice a week across an 11-week period of time. Observations of participants' social responses and initiations during regularly scheduled recess periods showed substantial improvements in social response behaviors and small effects for increasing social initiations. The overall effects on social engagement were maintained at follow-up and scores on teacher-completed social skills checklists further supported the observed improvements. Further, social validity checklists by teachers, parents, and participants suggest acceptability of the intervention procedures.