Effects of group activity schedule training on preference for social play among children with autism

•Prior to intervention, four participants showed preference toward solitary play over play with peers in a concurrent operant arrangement.•Group activity schedule training included prompting of all participants to follow a group activity schedule.•Following intervention, all four participants showed increased preference for play with peers over solitary play. Group activity schedules have been used to increase social engagement in children with autism spectrum disorders, but it is not known whether these experiences increase children’s preference for such interactions outside of therapy sessions or with different partners. This study evaluated the effects of training through the use of group activity schedules on children’s social responding in a concurrent choice paradigm. Four children with autism were given choices between social and solitary play prior to and following training in the use of group activity schedules. Prior to training, all participants predominantly chose to engage in solitary play. Subsequent to training, four out of four participants demonstrated increased preference for social play. For children with autism, exposure to structured social activities with systematically decreasing adult support may facilitate social skill development as well as preference for social interaction.