Utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis To Facilitate Social Skill Development In Adolescents Within Group Settings

This program will identify common social needs for individuals diagnosed with ASD as well as interventions that address specific social skills. We will describe and review how the seven principles of Applied Behavior Analysis can be used to develop social skills and benefit those between the ages of 14 and 21 years diagnosed with ASD, within a group setting. Utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis To Facilitate Social Skill Development In Adolescents Within Group Settings

Although there are many characteristics associated with an ASD diagnosis, this presentation will focus primarily upon Social Skills development in adolescents within a group setting. We will begin by describing common social needs for individuals diagnosed with ASD as well as interventions that address specific social skills. We will use examples from two onsite based programs: “Wonder Kids”, a therapeutic social skills program and the “Rock Band”, social skills service with a music basis.

 Wonder Kids is an exception program which qualifies for funding under Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS) regulations.  The Wonder Kids program serves individuals ages 5 to 21 years of age.  Wonder Kids is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, possess functional communication skills, minimal to no aggression towards self or others, and who are ready to further develop social skills.  By utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and incidental teaching methods,  Treatment plans are developed based on the needs of each individual child, and data based decision making is used to evaluate interventions and progress. Individuals are assigned to a group based upon developmental level, social needs and age. The ratio of clients to staff is approximately 3 to 1. The maximum number of clients in a group is 12.  Goals focus on specific social needs such as;  reciprocal conversations, personal space, making and maintaining eye contact, boundaries, initiating conversation, filtering shared information, monitoring and modifying body language, reading facial expressions, showing empathy and many others.   Each session is composed of up to 6 separate sections that lend structure to the group format, they include: Discussion, Social Activity, Gross Motor, Art, Sensory, Snack and Closing. Each week a social skill is identified and worked on throughout a session. That skill is repeated for those individuals who attend more than once a week for consistency and to help them to internalize the skill. Some skills  may include; bullying, tolerance, patience, boundaries, discussing non-preferred topics, interjections, fantasy vs. reality, and self-advocacy.   The goal of Wonder Kids is for the individuals to transfer the skills that they learn into their own natural community settings. During this presentation we will examine how the specific interventions and approaches used in the Wonder Kids program facilitate social skills in Adolescents and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum.

 Rock band is a music-therapy based social and communication group for individuals diagnosed with ASD and/or other developmental disorders ages 13 and older.  Rock band provides opportunities and exciting ways for individuals to perform music and openly express creativity and individual styles. Rock Band teaches, music skills such as playing instruments, reading music, and working with a team to make songs, as well as provides a therapeutic settings which facilitates emotional and behavioral development . Through the music skills, which include playing instruments such as the keyboard, drums/percussion, guitar, vocals, and learning rhythm, stylistic playing, ear training, arranging/composing, improvisation, performance and expressive skills. Band members develop and strengthen teamwork skills, leadership abilities, problem solving, organization, coping and creative self-expression and forming a group identity.  Through the process of creating a band name, assigning roles, and choosing and playing music together, band members experience both a musical as well as therapeutically fulfilling experience.   Music-based experiences provide band members with opportunities for social interaction. Self-expression and self-esteem develop through mastery. The successful teamwork required to perform music with other individuals in real-time is based upon moment to moment attention and impulse control. The personal growth facilitated through this process requires work not only by the group as a whole but by each individual. The band members will get as much therapeutic value out of organizing their playing experience as they do from the actually playing the music.

 In addition to the Wesley Spectrum Services Mission, which is, “to provide transformational support to children and families as they strive to become more independent, responsible and caring members of the community,” the philosophy of both Wonder Kids and Rock Band is anchored upon Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  ABA is guided by seven principles which include, Applied, Behavioral, Analytic, Technological, Conceptually Systematic, Effective and Generality. The intent of this presentation is to describe and review how these seven principles of Applied Behavior Analysis can be used to develop social skills and benefit those diagnosed with ASD between the ages of 14 to 21 years.