![[PDF]](/pb-assets/Icons/adobe-pdf-icon-1498649896243.png){kind=icon}
Abstract
Core deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) center around social communication and behavior. For those with ASD, these deficits complicate the task of learning how to cope with and manage complex social emotional issues. Although individuals with ASD may receive sufficient academic and basic behavioral support in school settings, supports for dealing with complex social emotional issues are more difficult to access, even though these issues significantly impact student learning. When addressing these challenging social- and emotional-based issues, school and professional personnel need more specific instructional skill sets and resources to effectively and compassionately support students with ASD. In this article, we address three challenging areas of social emotional development that are commonly experienced by individuals with ASD: Anxiety, social isolation, and grief. We briefly explore the existing research on these three topics, identify evidence-based practices and learning strategies to support social emotional learning in individuals with ASD, and include descriptive lists of practical resources that address anxiety, social isolation, and grief.
References
Section:
| American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Asmus, J., Carter, E. W., Moss, C. K., Biggs, E. E., Bolt, D. M., Born, T. L., Weir, K. (2017) Efficacy and social validity of peer network interventions for high school students with severe disabilities. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 122(2): 118–137. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-122.2.118. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Attwood, T. (2004) Exploring feelings: Anxiety: Cognitive behaviour therapy to manage anxiety, Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. Google Scholar | |
| Autism Speaks Family Services and Science Department (2017). 11 myths about autism. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/node/113471. Google Scholar | |
| Bandura, A., Ross, D., Ross, S. (1963) Imitation of film-mediated aggressive models. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 66: 3–11. doi: 10.1037/h004868.7. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Bauminger, N., Solomon, M., Aviezer, A., Heung, K., Brown, J., & Rogers, S. J. (2008a) Children with autism and their friends: A multidimensional study of friendship in high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 36: 135–150. doi: 10.1007/s10802-007-9156-x. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Bauminger, N., Solomon, M., Aviezer, A., Heung, K., Brown, J., & Rogers, S. J. (2008b) Friendship in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder: Mixed and non-mixed dyads. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38: 1211–1229. doi: 10.1007/s10803-007-0501-2. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Bellini, S. (2006) The development of social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities 21: 138–145. doi: 10.1177/10883576060210030201. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Bellini, S., Akullian, J. (2007) A meta-analysis of video modeling and video self-modeling interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional Children 73: 264–287. doi: 10.1177/001440290707300301. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Bellini, S., Peters, J. K. (2008) Social skills training for youth with autism spectrum disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America 17: 857–873. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2008.06.008http://ecx.sagepub.com/content/73/3/264.abstract. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Buron, K. D. (2006). When my worries get too big! A relaxation book for children who live with anxiety (2nd ed.). Lenexa, KS: AAPC Publishing. Google Scholar | |
| Buron, K. D. & Curtis, M. (2012). The incredible 5-point scale: The significantly improved and expanded second edition. Lenexa, KS: AAPC Publishing. Google Scholar | |
| Campbell, J. M. (2007) Middle school students’ responses to the self-introduction of a student with autism: Effects of perceived similarity, prior awareness, and education message. Remedial and Special Education 28: 163–173. doi: 10.1177/07419325070280030501. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Carter, E. W., Hughes, C., Copeland, S. R., Breen, C. (2001) Differences between high school students who do and do not volunteer to participate in a peer interaction program. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities 26: 229–239. doi: 10.2511/rpsd.26.4.229. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Carter, E. W., Hughes, C., Guth, C. B., Copeland, S. R. (2005) Factors influencing social interaction among high school students with intellectual disabilities and their general education peers. American Journal on Mental Retardation 110: 366–377. doi: 10.1352/0895-8017(2005)110[366:FISIAH]2.0.CO;2. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | |
| Charlop-Christy, M. H., Le, L., Freeman, K. A. (2000) A comparison of video modeling with in vivo modeling for teaching children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 30: 537–552. doi: 10.1023/A:1005635326276. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Davis, T. E., Hess, J. A., Moree, B. N., Fodstad, J. C., Dempsey, T., Jenkins, W. S., Matson, J. L. (2011) Anxiety symptoms across the lifespan in people diagnosed with autistic disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 5: 112–118. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.02.006. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Elsabbaugh, M., Divan, G., Koh, Y.-J., Kim, S., Kauchali, S., Marcin, C., Fombonne, E. (2012) Global prevalence of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Autism Research 5: 160–179. doi: 10.1002/aur.239. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Forrester-Jones, R., Broadhurst, S. (2007) Autism and loss, Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Google Scholar | |
| Gray, C. (2010) The new social story book, Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. Google Scholar | |
| Gresham, F. M., Sugai, G., Horner, R. H. (2001) Interpreting outcomes of social skills training for students with high-incidence disabilities. Exceptional Children 67: 331–344. doi: 10.1177/001440290106700303. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Himebauch, A., Arnold, R. M., May, C. (2008) Grief in children and developmental concepts of death #138. Journal of Palliative Medicine 11(2): 242–243. doi:10.1089/jpm.2008.9973. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Helbert, K. (2013) Finding your own way to grieve: A creative activity workbook for kids and teens on the autism spectrum, Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Google Scholar | |
| Johnson, K. B. (2017) I don't like the talking part: The use of videogames to facilitate grief therapy for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Dissertation Abstracts International 77(10–B)): (E). Google Scholar | |
| Jones, A. P., Frederickson, N. (2010) Multi-informant predictors of social inclusion for students with autism spectrum disorders attending mainstream school. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 40: 1094–1103. doi: 10.1007/s10803-010-0957-3. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kanner, L. (1943) Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child 2: 217–250. Google Scholar | |
| Kasari, C., Locke, J., Gulsrud, A., Rotheram-Fuller, E. (2011) Social networks and friendships at school: Comparing children with and without autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 41: 533–544. doi: 10.1007/s10803-010-1076-x. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kellems, R. O., Morningstar, M. E. (2012) Using video modeling delivered through iPods to teach vocational tasks to young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals 35: 155–167. doi: 10.1177/0885728812443082. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | |
| Kendall, P. C. & Hedtke, K. A. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious children: Therapist manual (3rd ed.). Ardmore, PA: Workbook Publishing. Google Scholar | |
| Kerns, C. M., Kendall, P. C. (2012) The presentation and classification of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 19: 323–347. doi: 10.1111/cpsp.12009. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Kerns, C. M., Kendall, P. C., Berry, L., Souders, M. C., Franklin, M. E., Schultz, R. T.(2014) Traditional and atypical presentations of anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44: 2851–2861. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2141-7. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kerns, C. M., Kendall, P. C., Zickgraf, H., Franklin, M. E., Miller, J., & Herrington, J. (2015) Not to be overshadowed or overlooked: Functional impairments associated with comorbid anxiety disorders in youth with ASD. Behavior Therapy 46: 29–39. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2014.03.005. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kerns, C. M., Newschaffer, C. J., Berkowitz, S. J. (2015) Traumatic childhood events and autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 45: 3475–3486. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2392-y. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kerns, C. M., Rump, K., Worley, J., Kratz, H., McVey, A., Herrington, J., Miller, J. (2016) The differential diagnosis of anxiety disorders in cognitively-able youth with autism. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 23: 530–547. doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.11.004. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Kerns, C. M., Wood, J. J., Kendall, P. C., Renno, P., Crawford, E. A., Mercado, R. J., Storch, E. (2016) The treatment of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder (TAASD) study: Rationale, design and methods. Journal of Child and Family Studies 25: 1889–1902. doi: 10.1007/s10826-016-0372-2. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Kimmelman, L., & Nelson, M. (2017). We’re amazing, 1,2,3! Retrieved from http://autism.sesamestreet.org/storybook-we-are-amazing/. Google Scholar | |
| Knight, V., Sartini, E., Spriggs, A. (2015) Evaluating visual activity schedules as evidence-based practice for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders 45: 157–178. doi: 10.1007/s10803-014-2201-z. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Krantz, P. J., McClannahan, L. E. (1993) Teaching children with autism to initiate to peers: Effects of a script-fading procedure. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 26: 121–132. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1993.26-121. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Krasny, L., Williams, B. J., Provencal, S., Ozonoff, S. (2003) Social skills interventions for the autism spectrum: Essential ingredients and a model curriculum. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America 12: 107–122. doi: 10.1016/S1056-4993(02)00051-2. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Laugeson, E. A., & Frankel, F. (2013). The PEERS® curriculum for school-based professional: Social skills training for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (1st ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. Google Scholar | |
| Laugeson, E. A., Frankel, F., Mogil, C., Dillon, A. R. (2009) Parent-assisted social skills training to improve friendships in teens with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 39: 596–606. doi: 10.1007/s10803-008-0664-5. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Lipscomb, S., Haimson, J., Liu, A. Y., Burghardt, J., Johnson, D. R., & Thurlow, M. L. (2017) Preparing for life after high school: The characteristics and experiences of youth in special education. Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012. Volume 2: Comparisons across disability groups: Full report (NCEE 2017–4018), Washington, DC: US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. Google Scholar | |
| Lipsky, D. (2013) How people with autism grieve and how to help, Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Google Scholar | |
| Locke, J., Ishijima, E. H., Kasari, C., London, N. (2010) Loneliness, friendship quality and the social networks of adolescents with high-functioning autism in an inclusive school setting. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs 10: 74–81. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2010.01148.x. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Locke, J., Williams, J., Shih, W., Kasari, C. (2017) Characteristics of socially successful elementary school-aged children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry 58: 94–102. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12636. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Luxford, S., Hadwin, J. A., Kovshoff, H. (2016) Evaluating the effectiveness of a school-based cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for anxiety in adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2857-7. Google Scholar | ISI | |
| Madrigal, S., Winner, M. G., & Knopp, K. (2008). Superflex: A superhero social thinking curriculum. San Jose, CA: Think Social. Google Scholar | |
| Maich, K., Belcher, E. C. (2012) Using picture books to create peer awareness about autism spectrum disorders in the inclusive classroom. Intervention in School and Clinic 47: 206–213. doi: 10.1177/1053451211424600. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Majoko, T. (2016) Inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders: Listening and hearing to voices from the grassroots. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46: 1429–1440. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2685-1. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Mason, J., Scior, K. (2004) ‘Diagnostic overshadowing’ amongst clinicians working with people with intellectual disabilities in the UK. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 17: 85–90. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-2322.2004.00184.x. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| McCoy, K., Hermansen, E. (2007) Video modeling for individuals with autism: A review of model types and effects. Education and Treatment of Children 30: 183–213. doi: 10.1353/etc.2007.0029. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| McCrimmon, A. W., Matchullis, R. L., Altomare, A. A. (2016) Resilience and emotional intelligence in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation 19: 154–161. doi:10.3109/17518423.2014.927017. Google Scholar | Medline | ISI | |
| McNally Keehn, R. H., Lincoln, A. J., Brown, M. Z., Chavira, D. A. (2013) The Coping Cat program for children with anxiety and autism spectrum disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 43: 57–67. doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1541-9. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Merrill, A. (n.d.) Anxiety and autism spectrum disorders. Retrieved from https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/anxiety-and-autism-spectrum-disorders. Google Scholar | |
| National Autism Center (2015a). Findings and conclusions: National Standards Project: Addressing the need for evidence-based guidelines for autism spectrum disorder, phase 2. Randolph, MA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/090605-2/. Google Scholar | |
| National Autism Center. (2015b). Evidence-based practice and autism in the schools: An educator’s guide to providing appropriate interventions to students with autism spectrum disorder (2nd ed.). Randolph, MA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/resources/for-educators/. Google Scholar | |
| Ochs, E., Kremer-Sadlik, T., Solomon, O., Sirota, K. G. (2001) Inclusion as social practice: Views of children with autism. Social Development 10: 339–419. doi: 10.1111/1467-9507.00172. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Ozonoff, S., Dawson, G., McPartland, J. (2002) A parent’s guide to Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism: How to meet the challenges and help your child thrive, New York, NY: Guilford Press. Google Scholar | |
| Reaven, J., Blakely-Smith, A., Culhane-Shelburne, K., Hepburn, S. (2012) Group cognitive behavior therapy for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders and anxiety: A randomized trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 53: 410–419. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2011.02486.x. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Renno, P., Wood, J. J. (2013) Discriminant and convergent validity of the anxiety construct in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 43: 2135–2146. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1767-1. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Rosen, T. E., Connell, J. E., Kerns, C. M. (2016) A review of behavioral interventions for anxiety‐related behaviors in lower‐functioning individuals with autism. Behavioral Interventions 31: 120–143. doi:10.1002/bin.1442. Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
| Schohl, K. A., Van Hecke, A. V., Carson, A. M., Dolan, B., Karst, J., & Stevens, S. (2014) A replication and extension of the PEERS® intervention: Examining effects on social skills and social anxiety in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44: 532–545. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1900-1. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Spain, D., Sin, J., Chalder, T., Murphy, D., & Happé, F. (2015). Cognitive behavior therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity: A review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 9(2015), 151–162. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2014.10.019. Google Scholar | |
| Sormanti, M., Ballan, M. S. (2011) Strengthening grief support for children with developmental disabilities. School Psychology International 32(2): 179–193. doi: 10.1177/0143034311400831. Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
| Stary, A. K., Everett, G. E., Sears, K. B., Fujiki, M., Hupp, S. A. (2012) Social stories for children with autism spectrum disorders: Updated review of the literature from 2004 to 2010. Journal of Evidence-Based Practices for Schools 13: 123–140. Google Scholar | |
| Storch, E. A., Arnold, E. B., Lewin, A. B., Nadeau, J. M., Jones, A. M., De Nadai, A. S., Murphy, T. K. (2013) The effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus treatment as usual for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized, controlled trial. Journal of The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 52(2): 132–142. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2012.11.007. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Sukhodolsky, D. G., Bloch, M. H., Panza, K. E., Reichow, B. (2013) Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics 132(5): e1341–e1350. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-1193. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Sze, K. M., Wood, J. J. (2007) Cognitive behavioral treatment of comorbid anxiety disorders and social difficulties in children with high-functioning autism: A case report. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 37: 133–143. doi: 10.1007/s10879-007-9048-y. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
| Tager-Flusberg, H., Joseph, R. M. (2003) Identifying neurocognitive phenotypes in autism. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 358: 303–314. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2002.1198. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Ung, D., Selles, R., Small, B. J., Storch, E. A. (2015) A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Child Psychiatry and Human Development 46: 533–547. doi: 10.1007/s10578-014-0494-y. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| van Steensel, F. J. A., Bögels, S. M., Perrin, S. (2011) Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 14: 302–317. doi: 10.1007/s10567-011-0097-0. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| van Steensel, F. J. A., Heeman, E. J. (2017) Anxiety levels in children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi:10.1007/s10826-017-0687-7. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Wharff, J. (2015). Helping kids with autism understand death. Retrieved from http://blog.stageslearning.com/blog/understanding-death. Google Scholar | |
| Wheeler, M. (2016). Supporting individuals on the autism spectrum coping with grief and loss through death or divorce. The Reporter, 20 (20). Retrieved from https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/supporting-individuals-on-the-autism-spectrum-coping-with-grief-and-loss. Google Scholar | |
| White, S. W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., Scahill, L. (2009) Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review 29: 216–229. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.003. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Williams White, S., Keonig, K., Scahill, L. (2007) Social skills development in children with autism spectrum disorders: A review of the intervention research. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 37: 1858–1868. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0320-x. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Wood, J., Ehrenreich-May, J., Allesandri, M., Fujii, C., Renno, P., Laugeson, E., Storch, E. A. (2015) Cognitive behavioral therapy for early adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and clinical anxiety: A randomized, clinical trial. Behavior Therapy 46(1): 7–19. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2014.01.002. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Wood, J., Drahota, A., Sze, K., Har, K., Chiu, A., Langer, D. A. (2009) Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized control trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 50(3): 224–234. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01948.x. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
| Yoo, H., Bahn, G., Cho, I., Kim, E., Kim, J., Min, J.(2014) A randomized controlled trial of the Korean version of the PEERS® parent‐assisted social skills training program for teens with ASD. Autism Research 7: 145–161. doi: 10.1002/aur.1354. Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI |
