Just want to share autism expert's perspective on social skills training..

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone: I just want to share what I learned from an autism expert

(specializing in social skills). I had asked her for advice/perspective re:

social skills training in general and also what to look for in a social skills

group. Here's her feedback:

" ... from my perspective I feel it is critical to work on social skills for

individuals with ASD across the life span. Early intervention is particularly

important and can set a child on a good social trajectory. However, because

social skills change so dramatically throughout development, it is essential to

receive ongoing treatment in this area. Not necessarily for years and years at a

time, but certainly at each stage of developmental change (e.g., preschool,

elementary school, middle/high school, young adulthood, etc.). Because these

social skills are difficult to acquire, the best programs should be

evidence-based (that is there effectiveness is based on some scientific

evidence) and they should be parent-assisted at the very least (so that they

might provide the necessary skills to caregivers to help generalize the skills

to the home and community setting long after the treatment has ended) "

Hope this is useful to some of you.

Take care,