A critical review of assessment targets and methods for social skills excesses and deficits for children with autism spectrum disorders

Measuring Change in Social Interaction Skills of Young Children with Autism

“…Indeed, some investigators have recognized the promise of the SRS and recommended it be subjected to further study (Matson and Wilkins 2007;Aman et al 2004). Future steps are using it in treatment outcome studies, evaluating its psychometric properties, and making it a norm-referenced assessment.…”

Development of the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS): A Role Play Measure of Social Skill for Individuals with High-Functioning Autism

“…As awareness of the social needs of adolescents and young adults with HFA/AS has increased, research on social skills interventions for this population has increased as well (Tse et al 2007). The research on social skills assessment for this population, however, has not advanced at the same pace (Matson and Wilkins 2007). The most commonly used method for assessing social skills intervention outcomes in individuals with HFA/AS remains informant report, usually in the form of questionnaires (Matson and Wilkins 2007).…”

“…The research on social skills assessment for this population, however, has not advanced at the same pace (Matson and Wilkins 2007). The most commonly used method for assessing social skills intervention outcomes in individuals with HFA/AS remains informant report, usually in the form of questionnaires (Matson and Wilkins 2007). While questionnaire methods are quick and cost effective, their results are limited by their dependence on the informant's perspective and biases (Bellack et al 2006).…”

“…In order to better evaluate treatment generalization, some studies have employed observational assessments of younger children with ASD, usually focusing on peer interactions (Matson and Wilkins 2007;White et al 2007). …”

A review of defining and measuring sociability in children with intellectual disabilities

“…As such it does have the benefit of a number of definitions being provided by researchers; unfortunately the quantity does not aid agreement of a single definition. Matson and Wilkins (2007) summarised this position when they commented that the definitions used for social skills are almost as varied as the studies conducted (p. 29). Bielecki and Swender (2004) stated "a universally accepted definition of social skills does not exist but major themes are However, there does seem to be a theme of the development of observable behaviours for researchers to use when considering social skills, indeed this is how the majority of social skills assessments are designed.…”