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Future Directions for Clinical Social Skills Interventions

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Handbook of Social Skills and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

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Abstract

Growth in research on the application of applied behavior analysis in the social skills area with persons with autism spectrum disorder, is likely to lead to similar growth in the clinical area. This chapter is concerned with matters for future inclusion and consideration in such clinical intervention. Covered is the need for authenticity and meaningfulness in building social competencies for persons with autism spectrum disorder. Also included is the importance of building social interest and desire in addition to social skills. Further addressed are the challenges faced in clinical work when attempting to develop genuine friendships. In addition to spending a little time on curricular issues, the chapter examines some matters pertaining to social skills groups. Additionally covered, is what may be the most important consideration of all in social skill clinical intervention, generalization, (i.e., the transfer of learning from clinical arrangements to independent usage in natural everyday social situations). Finally, the chapter examines the risks that are likely to be encountered when unsupported social skill interventions are employed with persons with autism spectrum disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Autism Partnership, Seal Beach, CA, USA

    Mitchell Taubman & Julia L. Ferguson

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  1. Mitchell Taubman
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  2. Julia L. Ferguson
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Correspondence to Mitchell Taubman .

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  1. Autism Partnership Foundation, Seal Beach, California, USA

    Justin B. Leaf

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Taubman, M., Ferguson, J.L. (2017). Future Directions for Clinical Social Skills Interventions. In: Leaf, J. (eds) Handbook of Social Skills and Autism Spectrum Disorder . Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62995-7_25

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