NCT00095420

Relationship Training for Children With Autism and Their Peers

Peer Related School Interventions in Autism

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 11 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will determine whether peer interaction training interventions are effective in enhancing the social relationships of children with autism.

Detailed description

Children with autism often have poor relationships with other children during their childhood and through their adult lives. A number of peer-related intervention models have been developed, but these models have not been thoroughly reviewed or implemented within the school setting. This study will examine the social inclusion of children with autism, following different peer-related interventions training children with autism and their peers. Children will be randomly assigned to one of four interventions that comprise all autistic children, all nonautistic children, or a mixed group of both. The first intervention focuses on improving the social skills of autistic children. The second intervention involves educating the peers of autistic children to increase their acceptance of their autistic peers. The third intervention is a combination of the first two interventions. Children assigned to the fourth intervention will receive the usual training offered in their local school districts. Training for each group will be conducted twice a week for 6 weeks. Characteristics of the autistic child will be assessed through an interview that evaluates intelligence quotient (IQ), language skills, and social interaction. Teachers will be asked to complete a questionnaire describing the autistic child and his or her interaction with peers. The autistic children will complete a friendship survey, clinical global impressions scales, and a battery of neuropsychiatric tests. All assessments will be conducted at study start and again at study completion.

Conditions

• Autism
• Autistic Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Social skills training targeting children with autism	Sessions will focus on improving the social skills of autistic children. Thirty-minute sessions will be held twice a week for 6 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL	Social skills training of peers without autism	Sessions will involve educating the peers of autistic children to increase their acceptance of their autistic peers. Thirty-minute sessions will be held twice a week for 6 weeks.
BEHAVIORAL	Combination treatment of social skills/education about autism	The combination treatment includes children with and without autism. Sessions will involve social skills training and education about autism to increase acceptance of autistic peers. Training will be conducted twice a week for 6 weeks
BEHAVIORAL	Usual training	Participants will receive the usual training offered in their local school districts.

Timeline

• Start date: 2003-09-01
• Primary completion: 2008-06-01
• Completion: 2008-06-01
• First posted: 2004-11-05
• Last updated: 2025-10-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States