Feasibility and Initial Efficacy of an After-School Social Intervention Delivered by Paraprofessionals in School Settings for Children with ASD
Abstract
This pilot RCT is testing the feasibility and initial efficacy of an after-school social intervention delivered by paraprofessionals in school settings for children with ASD (without intellectual disability). The intervention targets a range of social skills and these are taught, practiced, and reinforced using social skills groups, social recreational games, and a behavioral reinforcement system. The program is delivered 4 days/wk., 90 mins./session, over 8 wks. in group format by paraprofessionals to groups of 12-15 children including 2 children with ASD. Feasibility is assessed via fidelity, satisfaction ratings, and attendance and attrition rates. Outcomes test the intervention effect on a child test of social-cognition, parent ratings of social skills and ASD symptoms, and behavioral coding of social competence during game play. Efficacy is assessed immediately following the 8-week intervention (and again at 3-month follow-up for the treatment group only). Following year 1, significant progress has been made in regard to the major activities/objectives which included: (1) completing the regulatory review; (2) enrollment of sampling waves 1 and 2; (3) recruitment and training of research assistants; (4) implementation of the intervention for the treatment group followed by waitlist control group; and (5) completion of outcome testing. All of these were completed in year 1.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1211485
Entities
People
- Christopher Lopata
Organizations
- Canisius University