Browsing by Author "Soares, Melissa"

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    Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) in Relation to Social Skills and Mental Health in Adolescents with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2015-11-06) Soares, Melissa; McCrimmon, Adam
    The current study investigated the relation between anxiety, depression, social withdrawal and social skills in adolescents with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) who completed the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS; Laugeson & Frankel, 2010). Anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal were measured across three time point (pre, post, and follow-up). The results indicated that adolescents did not demonstrate significant improvement in socials skills following the completion of PEERS and at a six-month follow-up. Upon further investigation with a median split analysis, the parent-rated “Low social skills group” approached a statistically significant result and the parent rated “High social skills group” demonstrated a decrease in social skills from T2 to T3. Moreover, median split analysis results revealed that the self-reported “High depression group” had a significant decrease in depression symptoms from T1 to T3. No significant improvements were found on social withdrawal or anxiety.