Social Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders children with (ASD), having core problems associated with social deficits, have recently attracted significant attention because the number of ASD is increasing in these days. Clarifying the difference between ASD and typically developing (TD) children in earlier developmental stages is difficult. The core difficulties of ASD are mainly manifest in social interaction and social skills development, verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavioral issues (e.g., stereotyped behaviors). Studies show that social skills development strongly involves learning to execute complex movements. One part of this chapter emphasizes the importance of sensory and motor development and their role to enhance social skills development in individuals with ASD. The more physical (motor learning and motor skills) and social interaction is used during the early years of development, the more fundamental social skills (e.g., eye gaze, joint attention, imitation, gestures, etc.) can be developed and encouraged. The diagnosis of ASD, especially high-functioning (i.e., with no intellectual disabilities) type, in early stages, is very strenuous. Therefore, there is a critical need for screening and diagnostic tools for children with ASD in early stages. Besides, the treatment of children with ASD is mainly a curative education regarding social skills because there is no medical treatment to cure symptoms of ASD in late years. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of this topic and discuss how assessment and treatment methods and procedures are adapted to children with ASD.