Enhancing Social Skills Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evaluation of the 'Power of Camp Inclusion' Program
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| Title: | Enhancing Social Skills Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evaluation of the 'Power of Camp Inclusion' Program |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Aikaterini Dolyka, Christina Evaggelinou, Katerina Mouratidou, Irini Koidou, Efthymia Efthymiou, Eleni Nikolaou, Dimitra Katsarou |
| Source: | Open Education Studies. 2024 6(1). |
| Availability: | De Gruyter. Available from: Walter de Gruyter, Inc. 121 High Street, Third Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Tel: 857-284-7073; Fax: 857-284-7358; e-mail: service@degruyter.com; Web site: http://www.degruyter.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 21 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children, Youth, Young Adults, Interpersonal Competence, Social Behavior, Program Implementation, Inclusion, Resident Camp Programs |
| Geographic Terms: | Greece |
| DOI: | 10.1515/edu-2024-0004 |
| ISSN: | 2544-7831 |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the effectiveness of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program in enhancing social skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an integrated educational environment of a camp. Caregivers, who received pedagogical training on disability issues, evaluated the program. The study involved 22 individuals with ASD, aged 7-25 years (mean age: 14.82), and 22 companions, aged 20-56 years (mean age: 25.27). Caregivers received in vivo training on social skills to support their role in the program. The Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) was used to assess social skills, including Social Reciprocity, Social Participation, and Harmful Social Behaviors, as well as the overall index of social skills. In addition to ASSP, all participants underwent semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis examined demographic data, internal consistency of variables, their correlation, and t-test analyses of a sample and paired observations. The results indicated that the implementation of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program had positive effects on the development of social reciprocity, social participation, overall index of social skills, and reduction of harmful social behaviors among children with ASD. The findings of this study highlight the importance of educational programs that support the development of social skills for children with ASD and emphasize the need for such programs to be integrated into modern educational policies. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1427113 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the effectiveness of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program in enhancing social skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an integrated educational environment of a camp. Caregivers, who received pedagogical training on disability issues, evaluated the program. The study involved 22 individuals with ASD, aged 7-25 years (mean age: 14.82), and 22 companions, aged 20-56 years (mean age: 25.27). Caregivers received in vivo training on social skills to support their role in the program. The Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) was used to assess social skills, including Social Reciprocity, Social Participation, and Harmful Social Behaviors, as well as the overall index of social skills. In addition to ASSP, all participants underwent semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis examined demographic data, internal consistency of variables, their correlation, and t-test analyses of a sample and paired observations. The results indicated that the implementation of the "Power of Camp Inclusion" program had positive effects on the development of social reciprocity, social participation, overall index of social skills, and reduction of harmful social behaviors among children with ASD. The findings of this study highlight the importance of educational programs that support the development of social skills for children with ASD and emphasize the need for such programs to be integrated into modern educational policies. |
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| ISSN: | 2544-7831 |
| DOI: | 10.1515/edu-2024-0004 |
