Promoting positive relationships with peers is an important support for children who exhibit social withdrawal. Children who show extreme shyness or are identified as self-isolating are at risk for developing internalizing conditions, which can also lead to poor social and academic outcomes. These children may benefit from targeted support to…

Evidence-based robotic intervention programmes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been limited. As yet, there is insufficient evidence to inform therapists, teachers, and service providers on effectiveness of robotic intervention to enhance social development and participation of children with ASD in a real context. This study…

The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of sensory-motor integration exercises on social skills and motor performance in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all children with…

The current scoping review synthesizes the literature on interventions targeting anxiety in individuals with a learning disability (LD). Specifically, the review identifies types of interventions, outcomes, and barriers to or facilitators of implementation of interventions by school staff. The available literature was analyzed using a descriptive…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges in social competence that persist in adulthood, yet few treatment options exist. A pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a peer-mediated, theatre-based intervention with established efficacy in youth with ASD was examined in autistic adults. The final sample consisted of forty-seven…

The objective of the current study was to assess how a LEGO intervention, implemented by a grandparent and a parent at home, affected social interactions for four children (two girls, two boys; ages 6-7 years) on the autism spectrum in China. A multiple probe design across four families was used. Grandparents and parents were trained to use…

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seem to have difficulty dealing with complex social situations, which is likely related to their challenges in understanding others' perspectives, according to the Theory of Mind (ToM). The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the effect of multiple exemplar training (MET) on the…

In this scoping review on 34 studies, we examined the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). IVR was mostly used in connection with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for assessment of and intervention in social skills, and in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for assessment of executive…

Purpose: Despite group-level improvements in active engagement and related outcomes, significant individual variability in response to early intervention exists. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the effects of a group-based Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) on active engagement among a heterogeneous…

Social functioning plays a crucial role in motor performance for children with autism spectrum disorders. In this study, we investigated whether the social abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders influence their acquisition of trained fundamental motor skills and their capacity to transfer learning to untrained fundamental motor…

Purpose: Social skills difficulties among children on the autism spectrum can impede social, emotional, and academic development, especially with increasing age and social demands. This pilot study examined the efficacy of a 5-week skill-building program for children on the autism spectrum. Although effective social skills programs are available…

Using games as part of the intervention and support process (sometimes referred to as 'gaming therapy') is an increasingly popular method of supporting autistic youth to develop social competencies and other skills because they are believed to be inherently motivating and fun for youth. Some emerging research has indicated that intervention…

The generalisation of learning is one of the main elements to take into account when carrying out an educational intervention. This process involves certain difficulties for the population with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this sense, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the process of generalisation of skills related to the social…

Interventions utilizing human-computer interaction (HCI) in autism rehabilitation have gained popularity, yet their efficacy has not been fully elucidated. This meta-analysis assessed 30 international studies from the past decade that employed HCIs for autism intervention. The findings revealed a moderate positive effect (g = 0.484) on improving…

Prelinguistic children with autism often struggle with social communication and language skills. Therefore, fostering these abilities is crucial, especially during early childhood. Teaching parents how to assist their children in these areas can be quite beneficial. 'Kids in the Kitchen'(KiK) is an intervention programme designed to instruct…