Evidence-based social communication interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder

A selection of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The summaries on this page have been chosen and edited by Paul Hellyer. In this issue Paul chooses a selection of papers from the recent Springer Nature Change the World One Article at a Time initiative .

Abstract

Adapting communication styles is important

Main

Watkins L, Kuhn M, Ledbetter-Cho K, Gevarter C, O'Reilly M. Ind J Pediatr 2017; 84: 68–75. 10.1007/s12098-015-1938-5

There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK (www.autism.org.uk). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is typified by impairments in social and communication skills. Deficits may include failures in back and forth conversation, abnormalities in body language and eye contact, a lack of facial expression and difficulties in adjusting behaviour to social contexts.

Practices that have been shown to improve social interactivity include offering a choice of activities, which increased engagement. If complex behavioural tasks can be broken down into smaller segments, improved social engagement and interaction can occur. Providing visual cues to an activity rather than verbal can have a similar effect. Parental involvement, using an individualised approach for the acquisition of important skills, increases increase attention span and conversational and other skills. Verbal distraction when an interfering behaviour occurs improves social and communication skills.