Examining Demographics in Randomized Controlled Trials of Group-Based Social Skills Interventions for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 49; no. 8; pp. 3453 - 3461
• Main Authors: Safer-Lichtenstein, Jonathan, Hamilton, Jillian C., McIntyre, Laura Lee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2019; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Autism; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Caregivers; Child and School Psychology; Clinical trials; Demography; Educational Attainment; Ethnicity; Family Income; Gender Differences; High functioning; Intelligence Quotient; Interpersonal Competence; Intervention; Medical diagnosis; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Parent Background; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Psychology; Public Health; Race; Racial Differences; Randomized Controlled Trials; Representativeness; Skill Development; Social skills; SES; Race and ethnicity; Social skills treatment; Participant diversity
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04063-4

We reviewed the demographic reporting practices and diversity of participants in published randomized controlled trial studies of group-based social skills interventions (GSSIs) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 17 studies met inclusionary criteria. Results of this review suggest that the majority of published RCTs reported on participant gender and race/ethnicity, with fewer studies including details on household income and caregiver education. Study samples generally lacked diversity, with an overrepresentation of participants who were male, White, and from upper-middle class backgrounds. Additionally, we found that nearly all GSSI studies focused on participants with average or high IQs, or were specifically classified as having a higher functioning sub-diagnosis within ASD. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.