Skip to main content

Social Skills and Play in Children with Autism

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Social skills refer to the behaviors that allow an individual to interact with others in a mutually reinforcing way and to adapt those behaviors to different situations (Schopler and Mesibov in Social behavior in autism. New York: Plenum Press, 1986). Individuals with autism often display profound deficits in social behavior (e.g., Kanner in Nervous Child 2:217–250, 1943; Rimland in Infantile autism. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1964; Rutter in J Autism and Childhood Schizophr 8:139–161, 1978), and one of the defining characteristics of this disorder is an unwillingness or inability to engage in social interactions (American Psychiatric Association in Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed, text revision). Washington, DC: Author, 2000). Researchers and practitioners have developed numerous interventions designed to address these deficits. The present chapter reviews social skills deficits commonly demonstrated by children with autism, the importance of improving the social skills of children with autism, and interventions that are commonly used to improve the social skills of children with autism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
eBook
USD 349.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Softcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albin, R. W., Lucyshyn, J. M., Horner, R. H., & Flannery, K. B. (1996). Contextual fit for behavioral support plans: A model for “goodness of fit.” In L. K. Koegel, R. L. Koegel, & G. Dunlap (Eds.), Positive behavioral support: Including people with difficult behavior in the community (pp. 81–98). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed, text revision). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, J. D., & Mulick, J. A. (2007). Social play skill enhancement of children with autism using peers and siblings as therapists. Psychology in the Schools, 44, 727–735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont, R., & Sofronoff, K. (2008). A multi-component social skills intervention for children with Asperger syndrome: The junior detective training program. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49(7), 743–753. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01920.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, S., & Akullian, J. (2007). A meta-analysis of video modeling and video self-modeling interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional Children, 73, 264–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. L., Krantz, P. J., McClannahan, L. E., & Poulson, C. L. (2008). Using script fading to promote natural environment stimulus control of verbal interactions among youths with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2, 480–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cappadocia, M. C., & Weiss, J. A. (2011). Review of social skills training groups for youth with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 70–78. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.04.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlop, M. H., & Milstein, J. P. (1989). Teaching autistic children conversational speech using video modeling. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 22, 275–285.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Charlop, M. H., Milstein, J. P., & Moore, M. (1989, May). Teaching autistic children cooperative play. Paper presented at the Annual Convention for the Association of Behavior Analysis, Milwaukee, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlop, M. H., Kurtz, P. F., & Casey, F. G. (1990). Using aberrant behaviors as reinforcers for autistic children. Jornal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23, 163–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlop, M. H., Dennis, B., Carpenter, M. H., & Greenberg, A. L. (2010). Teaching socially expressive behaviors to children with autism through video modeling. Education and Treatment of Children, 33, 371–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlop-Christy, M. H., & Kelso, S. E. (1996). How to treat the child with autism. Los Angeles, CA: Claremont Autism Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlop-Christy, M. H., & Daneshvar, S. D. (2003). Using video modeling to teach perspective taking to children with autism. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 5, 12–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlop-Christy, M. H., & Kelso, S. E. (2003). Teaching children with autism conversational speech using a cue card/written script program. Education and Treatment of Children, 26, 108–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlop-Christy, M. H., Schreibman, L., Pierce, K., & Kurtz, P. F. (1998). Childhood autism. In R. J. Morris, & T. R. Kratochwill (Eds.), The practice of child therapy (3rd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlop-Christy, M. H., Le, L., & Freeman, K. (2000). A comparison of video modeling with in vivo modeling for teaching children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 537–552.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, S. M., & Dissanayake, C. (2008). The early development of joint attention in infants with autistic disorder using home video observations and parental interview. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 791–805.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, G., Toth, K., Abbott, R., Osterling, J., Munson, J., Estes, A., & Liaw, J. (2004). Early social attention impairments in Autism: Social orienting, joint attention, and attention to distress. Developmental Psychology, 40(2), 271–283. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.40.2.271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deitchman, C., Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., & Progar, P. R. (2010). Incorporating video feedback into self-management training to promote generalization of social initiations by children with autism. Education and Treatment of Children, 33(3), 475–488. doi: 10.1353/etc.0.0102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiSalvo, C. A., & Oswald, D. P. (2002). Peer-mediated interventions to increase the social interaction of children with autism: Consideration of peer expectancies. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 17, 198–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, G., & Koegel, R. L. (1980). Motivating autistic children through stimulus variation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 13, 619–627.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Eldevik, S., Eikeseth, S., Jahr, E., & Smith, T. (2006). Effects of low-intensity behavioral treatment for children with autism and mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(2), 211–224. doi: 10.1007/s10803-005-0058-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferraioli, S. J., & Harris, S. L. (2011). Treatments to increase social awareness and social skills. In B. Reichow, P. Doehring, D. V. Cicchetti, & F. R. Volkmar (Eds.), Evidence-based practices and treatments for children with autism (pp. 171–196). New York, NY: Spring Science and Business Media.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Foster, S. L., Inderbitzen, H. M., & Nangle, D. W. (1993). Assessing acceptance and social skills with peers in childhood. Behavior Modification, 17, 255–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frea, W. D. (1995). Social-communicative skills in higher-functioning children with autism. In R. L. Koegel & L. K. Koegel (Eds.), Teaching children with autism: Strategies for initiating positive interactions and improving learning opportunities (pp. 53–66). Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, H., Kaczamarek, L., Pennington, R., & Shafer, K. (1992). Peer mediated intervention: Attending to, commenting on, and acknowledging the behavior of preschoolers with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 289–305.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, S. L., & Ferrari, M. (1983). Developmental factors in child behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy, 14, 54–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrower, J. K., Fox, L., Dunlap, G., & Kincaid, D. (1999). Functional assessment and comprehensive early intervention. Exceptionality, 8, 189–204. doi: 10.1207/S15327035EX0803_5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harry, B., Kalyanpur, M., & Day, M. (1999). Building cultural reciprocity with families: Case studies in special education. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child, 2, 217–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, L. K., Koegel, R. L., Hurley, C., & Frea, W. D. (1992). Improving social skills and disruptive behavior in children with autism through self-management. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 341–353.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., & Frea, W. D. (1993). Treatment of social behavior in autism through the modification of pivotal skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26, 369–377.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Krantz, P. J., MacDuff, G. S., Wadstrom, O., & McClannahan, L. E. (1991). Using video with developmentally disabled learners. In P. W. Dowrick (Ed.), Practical guide to using video in the behavioral sciences (pp. 256–266). Oxford: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroeger, K. A., Schultz, J. R., & Newsom, C. (2007). A comparison of two group-delivered social skills programs for young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 808–817. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laugeson, E. A., Frankel, F., Mogil, C., & Dillon, A. R. (2009). Parent-assisted social skills training to improve friendships in teens with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(4), 596–606. doi: 10.1007/s10803-008-0664-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S., Simpson, R. L., & Shogren, K. A. (2007). Effects and implications of self-management for students with autism: A meta-analysis. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 22(1), 2–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leekam, S. R., & Ramsden, C. A. (2006). Dyadic orienting and joint attention in preschool children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 185–197.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Libby, S., Powell, S., Messer, D., & Jordan, R. (1998). Spontaneous play in children with autism: A reappraisal. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28(6), 487–497. doi: 0162-3257/98/1200-0487$15.00/0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, R., Sacramone, S., Mansfield, R., Wiltz, K., & Ahearn, W. H. (2009). Using video modeling to teach reciprocal pretend play to children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 43–55.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • MacDuff, G. S., Krantz, P. J., & McClannahan, L. E. (1993). Teaching children with autism to use photographic activity schedules: Maintenance and generalization of complex response chains. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26(1), 89–97.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., & Swiezy, N. (1994). Social skills training with autistic children. In J. L. Matson (Ed.), Autism in children and adults: Etiology, assessment and intervention (pp. 241–260). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson, M. L., Mahan, S., & Matson, J. L. (2009). Parent training: A review of methods for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 868–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, K., & Hermansen, E. (2007). Video modeling for individuals with autism: A review of model types and effects. Journal of the Education and Treatment of Children, 30, 183–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minjarez, M. B., Williams, S. E., Mercier, E. M., & Hardan, A. Y. (2011). Pivotal response group treatment program for parents of children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41, 92–101. doi: 10.1007/s10803-010-1027-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Initiative for Autism. (2003). National autism plan for children: Plan for the identification, assessment, diagnosis, and access to early interventions for pre-school and primary school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Published by the National Autistic Society for NIASA, in collaboration with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism. London: Newnorth Print

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council. (2001). Educating children with autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C., McDonnell, A. P., Johnston, S. S., Crompton, A., & Nelson, A. R. (2007). Keys to play: A strategy to increase the social interactions of young children with autism and their typically developing peers. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 42, 165–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, B., Reinecke, D. R., & Meinberg, D. L. (2000). Self-management of varied responding in three students with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 15, 145–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikopoulous, C. K., & Keenan, M. (2004). Effects of video modeling on social initiations by children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37, 93–96. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2004.37-93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikopoulous, C. K., & Keenan, M. (2007). Using video modeling to teach complex social sequences to children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 678–693. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0195-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, C., & Dattilo, J. (1999). Evaluating effects of a social story on a young girl with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 14, 180–186. doi: 10.1177/108835769901400307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, K. L., & Schreibman, L. (1994). Teaching daily living skills to children with autism in unsupervised settings through pictorial self-management. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 27(3), 471–481.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Quill, K. A. (1997). Instructional considerations for young children with autism: The rationale for visually cued instruction. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27, 697–714.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reagon, K. A., & Higbee, T. S. (2009). Parent-implemented script fading to promote play-based verbal initiations in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 659–664.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rimland, B. (1964). Infantile autism. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeyers, H. (1996). The influence of nonhandicapped peers on the social interactions of children with a pervasive developmental disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 303–320. doi: 10.1007/BF02172476.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, M. D., & Rogers, S. J. (2003). Cognitive underpinnings of pretend play in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(3), 289–302. doi: 0162-3257/03/0600-0289/0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1978). Diagnosis and definition of childhood autism. Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 8, 139–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schopler, E., & Mesibov, G. B. (Eds.). (1986). Social behavior in autism. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber, C. (2011). Social skills interventions for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 13(1), 49–62. doi: 10.1177/1098300709359027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schreibman, L. (1988). Autism. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seung, H. K., Ashwell, S., Elder, J. H., & Valcante, G. (2006). Verbal communication outcomes in children with autism after in-home father training. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 50, 139–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Southall, C. M., & Gast, D. L. (2011). Self-management procedures: A comparison across the autism spectrum. Education and training in Autism and developmental disabilities, 46(2), 155–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stahmer, A., & Schreibman, L. (1992). Teaching children with autism appropriate play in unsupervised environments using a self-management treatment package. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 447–459.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, T. F., & Baer, D. M. (1977). An implicit technology of generalization. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 349–368.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Strain, P. S. (1977). An experimental analysis of peer social initiations on the behavior of withdrawn preschool children: Some training and generalization effects. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 5, 445–455.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. A., Levin, L., & Jasper, S. (1999). Increasing play-related statements in children with autism toward their siblings: Effects of video modeling. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 11(3), 253–264. doi: 1056-263X/99/0900-0253$16.00.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tissot, C., & Evans, R. (2003). Visual teaching strategies for children with autism. Early Childhood Development and Care, 173(4), 425–433. doi: 10.1080/0300443032000079104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tse, J., Strulovitch, J., Tagalakis, V., Meng, L., & Fombonne, E. (2007). Social skills training of adolescents with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 1960–1968. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0343–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vismara, L. A., Colombi, C., & Rogers, S. J. (2009). Can one hour per week of therapy lead to lasting changes in young children with autism? Autism: the international journal of research and practice, 13, 93–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, S., Cui, Y., & Parrila, R. (2011). Examining the effectiveness of peer-mediated and video-modeling social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis in single-case research using HLM. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 562–569. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, M. J., & Harris, S. L. (2001). Reaching out, joining in: Teaching social skills to young children with autism. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., Keonig, K., & Scahill, L. (2007). Social skills development in children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of the intervention research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1858–1868. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0320-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, J., & Poulson, C. L. (2006). The use of scripts to increase the verbal initiations of children with developmental disabilities to typically developing peers. Education and Treatment of Children, 29, 437–457.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melaura Erickson Tomaino .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Erickson Tomaino, M., Miltenberger, C., Charlop, M. (2014). Social Skills and Play in Children with Autism. In: Tarbox, J., Dixon, D., Sturmey, P., Matson, J. (eds) Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0401-3_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics