The Feasibility and Effects of a Social Skills Group Training Program for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Receiving Outpatient Care at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effects of a social skills group training program for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receiving outpatient care at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.
Methods: This pilot study enrolled adolescents with ASD aged 11 - 18 years old in a social skills group training program called "Chulalongkorn’s Best Friend Forever (CU-BFF)". The program was developed by integrating cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions from March 1st to September 30th, 2024. Feasibility was evaluated by attendance rate and satisfaction scale from participants, parents, and instructors. The effects were measured using the Social Skill Questionnaire (SSQ) at baseline, mid-program (4th week), and post-program (8th week). Friedman's two-way analysis of variance by rank test was used to analyze the data.
Results: There were 14 participants enrolled in the program. The median age of participants was 13.5 years. 13 out of 14 participants (92.7%) remained at the end of the program. The session attendance rates ranged from 78.6% - 100%. High levels of average satisfaction scale from participants, parents, and instructors. The median SSQ score significantly increased from baseline to mid-program and post-program (P = 0.002), indicating an improvement in social skills among the participants in short-term follow-up. Most parents also reported remarkable improvement in participants’ emotional regulation, non-verbal communication, and peer engagement skills after the program.
Conclusion: A social skills group training program for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (CU-BFF program) is feasible and may improve social skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in short-term follow-up
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