Social Skills Groups and Autism Ranking:

Current Research

We have identified more than 50 studies of social skills groups for autistic people published in English in peer-reviewed journals. These studies included a total of more than 1,500 participants, aged between three years old and adult.

The majority of the groups studied consisted of primary school children (5-11 years old) or secondary school children (11-18 years old).  Most of the participants were described as ‘high functioning’, that is, with average or above average IQ and with existing language skills.

• The great majority of the studies reported positive results across a wide range of social skills. For example, Laugeson et al (2012) reported improvements in social skills knowledge, social responsiveness, and overall social skills in the areas of social communication, social cognition, social awareness, social motivation, assertion, cooperation, and responsibility.
• Many of these studies also reported improvements in other areas. For example, Gantman et al (2012) reported increased frequency of get-togethers with friends and a decrease in feelings of loneliness.
• Some of the studies reported positive results in a more limited number of social skills. For example, Whyte et al (2013) reported that a social skills group designed to improve the participants’ understanding of idioms did exactly that but no more.
• Some studies reported positive results for parents and carers. For example, Solomon et al (2004) reported ‘Mothers’ depression scores tended to decrease and there were significant reductions in child problem behaviors reported’
• Some of the studies reported positive results in the clinic that did not necessarily carry over into the community.  For example Barry et al  (2003) reported ‘Results indicate that a social skills group implemented in an outpatient clinic setting was effective in improving greeting and play skills, with less clear improvements noted in conversation skills... However, parent report data of greeting, conversation, and play skills outside of the clinic setting indicated significant improvements in only greeting skills.’
• A few studies reported mixed or negative results.  For example, Lopata et al (2006) reported ‘Results of the study indicated significant improvement in social skills for the overall program based on parent and staff reports. In addition, parents reported a significant improvement in adaptability and reduction in unusual behavior for their children. In contrast, staff reports reflected no significant change in adaptability and an increase in unusual behaviors.’

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Feb 2016

Next Review

01 Sep 2022