An Individual Approach to the Group Social Behavior Skills Training in Preschoolers with ASD and Severe Multiple Developmental Disorders

Abstract

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives. </strong>The significant heterogeneity of mental disorders in children with severe multiple developmental dis&shy;orders (SMDD) makes the development of the unified methods of psycho-educational support comprehensive issue. The goal of the article is to report the results of group social adaptation training in children of primary preschool age with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and SMDD. Training was aimed at the development of social behavior skills with individualization of approach and differentiation of tasks for each child.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods.&nbsp;</strong>Article presents the procedure of the development of the social behavior in children from 3 to 8 years old in groups of short-term stay at the Center for Curative Pedagogics of the Pskov Region. Group work is based on the principles of a child-centered approach and the use of Special Individual Development Programs (SIDP). Methods of observation, differentiation of tasks were used to identify the individual characteristics of the child. The subject-activity approach as a special method of the development of social behavior skills was also used.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results.&nbsp;</strong>The individualization of the general tasks of the SIDP which showed by the cases allows to set up specific goals for each of the participants. As a result of the individualization of tasks, a pronounced positive rehabilitation and developmental effect was observed. The reported result became possible by the step-by-step development of social behavior skills in all types of interaction between the teacher and the child.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusions.&nbsp;</strong>This work demonstrates the comprehensive character of providing an individual educational track for each child. Such characteristics as the interests of participants, their opportunities and abilities and developmental aspects, manifested in a group session are declared as the important for the SIPD individualization. The importance of setting of a small, achievable goals to increase individual dynamics in the development of social skills is emphasized</p>