Group-Based Social Skills Training with Play for Children on the Autism Spectrum.

Chester et al. (2019) ran an eight-week group social-skills program with a play twist. Kids with autism aged 8-12 met in small groups. Each session mixed social lessons with structured play.

The design was a randomized controlled trial. Half the kids started right away. The other half waited eight weeks. Researchers then compared the two groups.

The play-plus-SST group beat the waitlist on every social measure. Parents saw better sharing, turn-taking, and conversation at home and at school.

Social-competence scores rose enough to matter in real life. The gains showed up on both parent and teacher checklists.

Deckers et al. (2016) ran a similar 8-12 SST group earlier, but without the play layer. Both studies beat waitlist, so the play add-on does not hurt and may help engagement.

U et al. (2018) tripled the dose to 24 weeks and saw larger parent-rated gains. Monica’s shorter eight-week course still works, so you can get useful change in half the time.

Carson et al. (2017) used 32 teacher-led sessions and saw big effects. Monica’s lighter eight-session model gives medium effects, a trade-off worth knowing when you plan your calendar.

You now have an RCT showing that eight weekly sessions of group SST plus play produce real-world social gains for elementary and middle-school autistic students. If your clinic or school can only spare two months, this model fits. Keep the play games; they may boost motivation without extra staff training. Track both parent and teacher ratings to catch transfer across settings.