Improving question asking in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: effectiveness of small-group training.

Palmen et al. (2008) ran six weekly small-group sessions for nine high-functioning autistic teens. Each meeting used behavioral skills training: teach, model, practice, and feedback.

The teens also learned self-management. They tracked their own questions and gave themselves points for good ones. After training, the team watched how the kids talked with college tutors in real class settings.

Correct questions shot up during the program and stayed high in later tutor chats. The teens needed fewer tries to get a good answer, so talks moved faster.

Parents and tutors said the kids sounded more natural. No extra coaching was needed once the six weeks ended.

EGranieri et al. (2020) pooled 18 later studies and found the same medium-to-large gains for group social-skills training. Their meta-score backs the size of the 2008 jump.

Hansen et al. (1989) did almost the same set-up with inpatient kids and saw the same pattern: group BST lifts conversation skills and the change lasts. The 2008 study shows the trick still works when you add autism and self-monitoring.

Chan et al. (2018) swapped BST for CBT and still got parent-reported gains in Chinese teens. The tool can change but the group format stays useful.

You can run this package in any clinic room with three to five teens, a whiteboard, and a timer. Script the six lessons once and reuse them. Add a simple self-score card so the kids carry the skill home without you. Perfect next step for BCBAs who already run social groups and want a quick, measurable upgrade.