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. 2022 Dec;52(12):5162-5176.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-022-05501-6. Epub 2022 May 16.

A Distance-Delivered Social Skills Program for Young Adults with Williams Syndrome: Evaluating Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy

Marisa H Fisher  1   2 , Rebecca R Kammes  3   4   5 , Rhonda S Black  6 , Kristin Houck  3   4 , Katie Cwiakala  3
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A Distance-Delivered Social Skills Program for Young Adults with Williams Syndrome: Evaluating Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy

Marisa H Fisher et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Adults with Williams syndrome (WS) display hypersocial behaviors and experience social skills deficits. To improve social outcomes, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week distance-delivered social skills program for adults with WS. Sessions were offered twice a week for 90 min. Twenty-four adults with WS were assigned to an intervention or waitlist control group. Outcomes were assessed through interviews and surveys with adults with WS, parents, and facilitators. The intervention was rated as acceptable and feasible by all. Parents rated adults with WS as displaying significant improvements in social skills; yet ratings by adults with WS did not change. Adults also displayed increased social skills knowledge following participation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Keywords: Feasibility; Intellectual disability; Social skills; Telehealth; Williams syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of Enrollment in the SSTP-WS Study and Allocation to Intervention or Waitlist Control Group
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