Targeted Interventions for Social Communication Symptoms in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

AbstractYoung children with autism spectrum disorder experience difficulty in social communication, regardless of the child's intellectual capacity. It is important to understand which interventions show the most promise in improving social communication for at least three reasons: (1) social communication plays a crucial role in a child's ability to participate in daily interactions with others, (2) social communication abilities have implications for future development, and (3) social communication remains one of the most difficult aspects of the disorder to effectively treat. A best evidence synthesis of the intervention literature shows that current treatment approaches are more likely to effect change in social communication that is not generalizable beyond the treatment context, and is closely related to the skills taught within the intervention. However, treatments that are shown to produce generalized change in the child include some combination of naturalistic interactions, child‐centeredness, adult direction, play routines, parent and family involvement, a developmental orientation, and physiological regulation.