Place of socialization/communication learning groups in autism with moderate mental retardation

Studies based on social skills training groups for people with autism always target people without mental retardation and the subjects are more often teenagers and adults than children. Quantitative and standardized psychometrics are not routinely studied. Describing the changes in symptoms and social communication skills of five children with autism and moderate mental retardation, who participated in 20 sessions in a social skills training group appropriate to their developmental level. Standardized scales to develop the target skills and applied behavioral analysis and structured techniques were implemented in these sessions. To measure changes, we assessed the children before and after the 20 sessions (Vineland Adaptative Behavior Scale and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and we noted whether or not of the target skills were achieved. The scores showed a significant improvement in autistic symptoms and social communication skills. The results show that this type of educational experience appears relevant to meeting objectives in social and communication skills. However, any conclusions as to a significant impact of the intervention are strongly limited by the absence of a control group.