Publications

Authors:

Zoccante, Leonardo; Sabaini, Sara; Rigotti, Erika; Bonatti, Sophia Marlene; Lintas, Camilla; Zaffanello, Marco

Title:

Impact of a Structured Social Skills Training Program on Adolescents and Young Adults with Level 1 Autism

Year:

2025

Type of item:

Articolo in Rivista

Tipologia ANVUR:

Articolo su rivista

Language:

Inglese

Format:

Elettronico

Referee:

Sì

Name of journal:

PEDIATRIC REPORTS

ISSN of journal:

2036-7503

N° Volume:

17

Number or Folder:

1

Page numbers:

1-15

Keyword:

Asperger syndrome; Vineland score; autism spectrum disorder; level 1 ASD; level 1 autism; social ability; socialisation

Short description of contents:

Background/objectives: Level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social and communication skills. Despite these difficulties, individuals with level 1 ASD often exhibit average intelligence and typical language development. Improving socialisation skills in this population requires tailored approaches that address their specific needs and include targeted strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured social skills training programme for adolescents and young adults with level 1 ASD. Methods: Participants diagnosed with level 1 ASD, regardless of gender, were consecutively recruited from an outpatient clinic. The intervention involved activities from the Social Skills, Autonomy, and Awareness Module, specifically designed for adolescents and young adults. Sessions were conducted fortnightly, lasting 1.5 to 3 h each, over 17 months. Adaptive behaviour was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) at baseline and after completing the programme. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Statistical methods included automatic clustering to identify optimal clusters and Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to evaluate variable distributions among the clusters. Results: A total of 31 participants (77.4% female) with a mean age of 20.1 years (SD = 7.0) were included in the study. Two distinct clusters emerged. Cluster 1 (n = 8) had significantly higher mean ages and baseline Vineland II socialisation scores than Cluster 2 (n = 23). Both clusters demonstrated significant improvements in social skills following the intervention. Conclusions: This study highlights distinct profiles within individuals with level 1 ASD, showing a clear link between age and social skill development. The intervention improved social skills for most participants, regardless of the age at which treatment began. For some individuals, alternative or augmented treatment strategies may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

Product ID:

144046

Handle IRIS:

11562/1152287

Last Modified:

April 25, 2025

Bibliographic citation:

Zoccante, Leonardo; Sabaini, Sara; Rigotti, Erika; Bonatti, Sophia Marlene; Lintas, Camilla; Zaffanello, Marco, Impact of a Structured Social Skills Training Program on Adolescents and Young Adults with Level 1 Autism «PEDIATRIC REPORTS» , vol. 17 , n. 1 , 2025 , pp. 1-15

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