Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39846521›Full record

ArticlePediatric reports2025

Impact of a Structured Social Skills Training Program on Adolescents and Young Adults with Level 1 Autism.

Leonardo Zoccante, Sara Sabaini, Erika Rigotti, Sophia Marlene Bonatti, Camilla Lintas, Marco Zaffanello

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Leonardo ZoccanteChildhood, Adolescence, Families and Family Health Center, Azienda Ulss 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy.
Sara SabainiChildhood, Adolescence, Families and Family Health Center, Azienda Ulss 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy.
Erika RigottiDepartment of Paediatrics, Woman's & Child's, University Hospital of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy.ORCID 0009-0005-1639-8951
Sophia Marlene BonattiDepartment of Neurosciences Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Physiology and Psychology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Camilla LintasDepartment of Mental Health, ULSS 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, Italy.
Marco ZaffanelloDepartment of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8659-5505

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesLevel 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social and communication skills. Despite these difficulties, individuals with level 1 ASD often exhibit average intelligence and typical language development. Improving socialisation skills in this population requires tailored approaches that address their specific needs and include targeted strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured social skills training programme for adolescents and young adults with level 1 ASD.

methodsParticipants diagnosed with level 1 ASD, regardless of gender, were consecutively recruited from an outpatient clinic. The intervention involved activities from the Social Skills, Autonomy, and Awareness Module, specifically designed for adolescents and young adults. Sessions were conducted fortnightly, lasting 1.5 to 3 h each, over 17 months. Adaptive behaviour was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) at baseline and after completing the programme. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Statistical methods included automatic clustering to identify optimal clusters and Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to evaluate variable distributions among the clusters.

resultsA total of 31 participants (77.4% female) with a mean age of 20.1 years (SD = 7.0) were included in the study. Two distinct clusters emerged. Cluster 1 (n = 8) had significantly higher mean ages and baseline Vineland II socialisation scores than Cluster 2 (n = 23). Both clusters demonstrated significant improvements in social skills following the intervention.

conclusionsThis study highlights distinct profiles within individuals with level 1 ASD, showing a clear link between age and social skill development. The intervention improved social skills for most participants, regardless of the age at which treatment began. For some individuals, alternative or augmented treatment strategies may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

Indexed as

Asperger syndromeautism spectrum disorderlevel 1 ASDlevel 1 autismsocial abilitysocialisationVineland score

Identifiers

PMID39846521
PMCPMC11755610

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.