Social Skills Training for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Follow-Up

The substantial increase in prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the last 10 years has sparked debate regarding cause and critical need for effective services. The most recent reports released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that as many as 1 in every 68 children are affected by ASD, a 78% increase from 2002 to 2010.1 It affects more boys than girls with prevalence estimates being as high as 1 in 42 boys being diagnosed with ASD compared with 1 in 189 girls. The increase in prevalence rates has been referred to as an “epidemic” by some autism organizations and news organizations. However, the CDC has pointedly chosen to avoid using the term “epidemic,” opting instead to refer to the increase as an “important public health concern.” Irrespective of the terms used to describe the increase in prevalence, the demand for effective intervention modalities for youth with ASD has never been greater. Educators, therapists, and physicians have been inundated with an increase in the number of students and patients with ASD in their classrooms and clinics.