Replication of the The Multi-Media Social Skills Project for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

This study is a pre-test, post-test single group design with post test measures at one week
after completion of intervention and follow-up at three months. Approximately 300 adolescents
will participate in this study. The study will be conducted in ten cohorts of 12. Each cohort
will have 6 participants and 6 adolescent volunteers (peers). Cohorts will be run in a time
sequential manner with up to four cohorts running at a time. Participants and their parents
will complete pre-test measures including both paper and pencil, online, or phone measures
and a video-recording to assess the participant's social interaction skills and fluency.
These adolescents will participate in both group therapy and peer generalization sessions
once a week over the course of twelve weeks. Upon completion of the intervention,
participants and parents will complete paper and pencil, online, or phone measures and video
post-test measures. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a follow-up session
where the paper and pencil and video measures will be completed again.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Between 13 and 17 years of age

- Must be a Pennsylvania resident

- A primary diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism, as confirmed by
the Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD; Mayes, 2012)

- English as primary language spoken

- Ability to fluently speak in full sentences

- A verbal IQ of 85 or above on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second
Edition(KBIT-2; Kaufman & Kaufman, 1990)

Exclusion Criteria:

- A significant language delay

- Difficulty with aggression directed at peers

- A primary thought disorder

- A secondary disorder of anxiety or depression so severe as to prevent the individual's
participation in the treatment

- Low social motivation demonstrated through formalized assessment and/or by responses
given to screening interviews assessing treatment goals