The Impact of Summer Camp on Social Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study examined specific social skills that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder need to improve in their life. This quantitative study obtained data from 40 parents who have children or youth with ASD who participated in a one week day camp. A modified version of the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) was given  three times to determine if children and youth with ASD made improvements in social skills after participating in the one week day camp.  Survey 1 was distributed before the beginning of camp, survey 2 was given at the end of camp, and survey 3 was given eight weeks post camp. This study reported statistically significant differences when the five domains included in social skills (communication, reciprocity, social cognition, initiation, and perspective taking and self-awareness) were analyzed. The time by treatment interaction was statistically significant for the communication, initiation, and reciprocity domains. These results suggest that participants who attended Camp New Amigos showed a positive impact on social skills for children and youth with ASD, as rated by their parents.

Keywords: communication, social skills, imitation, social cognition, perspective taking

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-17-14

Publication date:June 30th 2020