Social Skills Intervention for Autism

Overseen By Aarti Nair, PhD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

Disqualifiers: Epilepsy, Tumor, Psychiatric history, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 16 weeks

90 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how the PEERS social skills intervention (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) can enhance brain function and social interactions in teens with autism and schizophrenia. Participants will engage in a 16-week program designed to improve their ability to make and maintain friendships. Researchers will compare brain scans and social assessments taken before and after the program to observe changes in brain and social behaviors. The trial seeks teens diagnosed with autism or schizophrenia who face challenges in social situations. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance social skills interventions for teens.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the PEERS social skills intervention is safe for adolescents with ASD and SSD?

Research has shown that the PEERS program, designed to improve social skills, is well-received by participants. Studies found that teenagers who participated in the program developed better social skills and friendships. These studies reported no major negative side effects or problems. This suggests that PEERS is a safe choice for those seeking to enhance social skills, particularly for teens with autism or social challenges. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the PEERS social skills intervention for autism because it specifically targets the social communication challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Skills Deficits (SSD). Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on behavioral modification or medication, PEERS emphasizes building practical social skills through structured teaching, role-playing, and feedback. This targeted approach can lead to improved social interactions and relationships, which are often areas of struggle for those with ASD and SSD. By directly addressing these skills, PEERS has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the everyday lives of participants.

What evidence suggests that the PEERS social skills intervention might be effective for improving social skills in adolescents with ASD and SSD?

Research has shown that the PEERS social skills program, which participants in this trial may receive, can benefit teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One study found that teens who participated in PEERS showed noticeable improvements in their social skills. Another study demonstrated that the Dutch version of PEERS also helped teens with ASD enhance their social skills. Additionally, research from Japan supports that PEERS improves social functioning for adolescents with ASD. Overall, these studies suggest that PEERS can assist teens with social challenges in enhancing their interactions and relationships. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Aarti Nair, PhD

Principal Investigator

Loma Linda University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adolescents aged 12-18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (SSD), who have verbal and full-scale IQs over 70. They should not have significant medical conditions that affect brain imaging, no psychiatric history if they're typically developing controls, and must be able to safely undergo MRI scans.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an adolescent with ASD or SSD enrolled in the PEERS program.

Thirty demographically comparable typically developing (TD) controls will be recruited through community samples, and in compliance with the LLU Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards

ASD adolescents will be recruited through the Loma Linda University Behavioral Health Institute (LLU BHI), LLU Behavior Medicine Center (BMC), and LLU Department of Psychology Child and Family Center (CFC)

Exclusion Criteria

Any psychiatric history for TD controls

I don't have conditions like epilepsy that would affect brain scans.

Participants with any MRI contraindications (e.g., history of metal fragment injury or metal implants, current orthodontic braces or nonremovable retainers)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo the 16-week PEERS social skills intervention, including pre- and post-treatment MRI scans and behavioral assessments

16 weeks

2 visits (in-person) for MRI and assessments

Control

Typically developing control participants undergo cognitive assessments and MRI imaging 16 weeks apart with no intervention

16 weeks

2 visits (in-person) for MRI and assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term maintenance of social skills and neural changes post-intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PEERS social skills intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the PEERS social skills intervention's effect on brain function in teens with ASD or SSD. It involves pre- and post-treatment MRI scans to observe neural changes after a 16-week program designed to enhance friendship quality and social skills.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Patient arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Both ASD and SSD participants will undergo cognitive assessments and MRI imaging pre- and post- the 16-week PEERS social skills intervention.

Group II: Control arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Typically developing control participants will undergo cognitive assessments and MRI imaging 16 weeks apart with no intervention in between.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loma Linda University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

322

Recruited

267,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The PEERS program significantly improved friendship skills and social knowledge among 58 adolescents with higher-functioning ASD, as evidenced by increased social interactions and decreased social anxiety after the intervention.

Participants in the PEERS program also showed reductions in core autistic symptoms and problem behaviors, highlighting the program's effectiveness in enhancing social functioning in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A replication and extension of the PEERS intervention: examining effects on social skills and social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Schohl, KA., Van Hecke, AV., Carson, AM., et al.[2021]

The PEERS® for Preschoolers (P4P) program, a caregiver-assisted social skills intervention, was found to be feasible for implementation with 15 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), showing promise in recruitment and retention.

The P4P program demonstrated effectiveness in improving social skills in young children with ASD, with these improvements maintained even after the intervention ended.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining Feasibility and Outcomes of the PEERS® for Preschoolers Program. Factor, RS., Rea, HM., Laugeson, EA., et al.[2023]

The PEERS program, a social skills intervention for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, demonstrated significant improvements in social engagement, cognition, communication, and motivation in a small pilot study involving five participants.

Participants also experienced notable reductions in internalizing and autistic symptoms after completing the PEERS intervention, suggesting its effectiveness in community settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of the PEERS Program on Social Skills and Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Hill, TL., Gray, SAO., Baker, CN., et al.[2020]

The ACCEPT study is a randomized controlled trial involving 150 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, comparing the effectiveness of the PEERS® social skills intervention against an active control group focused on puberty psychoeducation.

The primary outcome measure is the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS), which evaluates social skills in real interactions, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the intervention's impact on social conversational abilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The ACCEPT-study: design of an RCT with an active treatment control condition to study the effectiveness of the Dutch version of PEERS® for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. van Pelt, BJ., Idris, S., Jagersma, G., et al.[2020]

The PEERS Program significantly improved social skills in high-functioning adolescents with ASD, enhancing areas such as social communication and peer interactions, based on assessments from both participants and teachers.

Improvements in social skills were not only significant but also durable, with many gains maintained and even enhanced at a 14-week follow-up, indicating the long-term effectiveness of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence-based social skills training for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: the UCLA PEERS program. Laugeson, EA., Frankel, F., Gantman, A., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 22 caregiver-child dyads, the PEERS® for Preschoolers (P4P) program showed that 60% of participants improved their social skills after treatment, with 53.85% maintaining these improvements at follow-up (4-16 weeks later).

The program also indicated that fewer social communication difficulties were linked to better social skills and reduced behavioral issues, suggesting that addressing specific autistic traits can enhance the effectiveness of social skills interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

PEERS® for Preschoolers preliminary outcomes and predictors of treatment response. Antezana, L., Albright, J., Scarpa, A., et al.[2023]

After a two-day training on the PEERS program, 15 community clinicians reported increased confidence in delivering social skills interventions for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The implementation of five PEERS groups in community mental health settings demonstrated the feasibility of expanding social skills interventions, although no significant changes were observed in family quality of life, social skills, or parenting stress among the 14 participating families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increasing Access to Empirically-Validated Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder:: Dissemination of PEERS into Community Health Settings. Dewey, L., Rose, C., Mueller, J., et al.[2022]

The Multimodal Anxiety and Social Skills Intervention (MASSI) program was found to be feasible and well-accepted by families in a pilot study involving 30 adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and moderate anxiety symptoms.

Participants showed a significant 16% improvement in social impairment related to ASD, indicating that MASSI may effectively enhance social skills, although the reduction in anxiety symptoms (26%) was not statistically significant.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial: Multimodal Anxiety and Social Skill Intervention for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. White, SW., Ollendick, T., Albano, AM., et al.[2022]

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who participated in the PEERS social skills intervention showed significant improvements in vocal expressiveness and rapport quality after treatment, compared to those in a waitlist group.

The effectiveness of the PEERS program was linked to the knowledge gained during the intervention, indicating that the skills learned directly contributed to better social interactions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief Report: Assessment of Intervention Effects on In Vivo Peer Interactions in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dolan, BK., Van Hecke, AV., Carson, AM., et al.[2018]

The parent-mediated telehealth version of the PEERS® for Preschoolers (P4P) program was found to be feasible and satisfactory for families, providing a new way to support social skills development in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

After participating in the program, parents reported increased confidence in their ability to coach their children in social skills, which suggests that the intervention may effectively empower families to support their children's social development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Remote PEERS&#174; for preschoolers: A pilot parent-mediated social skills intervention for young children with social challenges over telehealth. Factor, RS., Glass, L., Baertschi, D., et al.[2022]

The PEERS social skills intervention was effective in improving social functioning for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as reported by both the adolescents and their parents.

This pilot study included a diverse sample of 13 adolescents with ASD and utilized an objective measure of conversational skills, showing that improvements were maintained four months after the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceived and Observed Treatment Gains Following PEERS: A Preliminary Study with Latinx Adolescents with ASD. Veytsman, E., Baker, E., Martin, AM., et al.[2023]

The PEERS® intervention significantly improved social skills and reduced social deficits in 82 Taiwanese young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), showing effectiveness similar to previous studies in North America.

Improvements in social functioning were maintained at 3 and 6 months post-treatment, and were positively correlated with baseline severity of autism and IQ, suggesting that these factors may influence the effectiveness of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness, durability, and clinical correlates of the PEERS social skills intervention in young adults with autism spectrum disorder: the first evidence outside North America. Chien, YL., Tsai, WC., Chen, WH., et al.[2023]

The Mandarin version of the PEERS® program is feasible and culturally acceptable for autistic adolescents in China, showing promise in improving their social skills and emotional well-being after 14 sessions.

Participants with better school support and parents with lower initial well-being benefited more from the program, suggesting that these factors may enhance the effectiveness of social skills training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation and Feasibility of the Mandarin Version of PEERS&#174; for Autistic Adolescents. Lao, U., Li, Y., Bai, W., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11802708/

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills ... PEERS is an intervention targeting social skills for autistic adolescents and those with other social challenges.

2. semel.ucla.edu semel.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/users/user-293/170-175effectivenessofadaptedprogramfortheeducationandenrichmentofrelational.pdf

Effectiveness of Adapted PEERS® in adolescents with ASD Results: Findings demonstrated signi cant improvements in social skills knowledge of adolescents with adopted PEERS, F (1, 93) = 36.38, p<.001.

3. bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-022-03913-3

A randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of ... This study reveals promising indications that the Dutch version of PEERS® enhances social skills in adolescents with ASD.

4. cebc4cw.org cebc4cw.org/program/program-for-the-education-and-enrichment-of-relationship-skills-peers-for-adolescents/

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of ... Results indicate that with linguistic and cultural modifications, PEERS® is effective in improving social functioning for adolescents with ASD in Japan.

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.993124/pdf

Program for education and enrichment of relational skills ( ... The results of the study showed that after the PEERS intervention, patients' social etiquette and social functioning scores improved ...

6. teams.semel.ucla.edu teams.semel.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/users/user-293/42_-_garbarino_et_al._2020_2nd_revision.pdf

Implementation of the Program for the Education and ... Results: Our data show significant improvements in social skills knowledge and friendship closeness over the treatment period. Conclusions: Our findings ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/377237686_Program_for_the_Education_and_Enrichment_of_Relational_Skills_PEERS_for_Italy_A_Randomized_Controlled_Trial_of_a_Social_Skills_Intervention_for_Autistic_Adolescents

(PDF) Program for the Education and Enrichment of ... The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is an intervention targeting social skills for autistic adolescents and those with ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05341011

Establishment of Social Skills Training Group in ... This study investigated the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of the Taiwanese adolescent PEERS® program. Detailed Description. The PEERS® group will ...