An Evaluation of a Behaviorally Based Social Skills Group for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Researchers ran a 32-session social skills group for people with autism. Teachers led the sessions using applied behavior analysis methods.

Eight participants joined the group. The team compared their social behavior to a waitlist group that had not started training yet.

The group members showed big gains in social behavior. These gains lasted after the sessions ended.

The waitlist group did not improve during the same time. This pattern shows the training, not luck, caused the change.

U et al. (2018) ran a similar 24-week program. Parents in that study also saw large social gains, but teachers saw little change. The current study adds teacher-led lessons and still finds large effects, suggesting teacher delivery may boost school success.

Chester et al. (2019) cut the program to eight weeks and added play. They still saw medium gains, showing the core approach works even when shortened and mixed with games.

Menezes et al. (2021) reviewed 18 school-based social skills studies. Every study found positive results when peers joined the lessons. The current trial fits this pattern and strengthens the evidence base for inclusive classrooms.

You can run this 32-session plan with your own students. Use clear ABA steps like model, practice, and feedback. Invite peers to join so skills transfer to the classroom. Track social behaviors weekly to show the team and parents real progress.