Using a STEM activity to improve social communication interactions in autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Social communication deficits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often exacerbated during adolescence. Group based approaches are effective intervention techniques for facilitating improved social communication skills in people with ASD; however, science, technology, engineering, and math activities, while highly preferred areas of interest, are overlooked as a therapeutic tool. This study determines the effectiveness of peer collaborations using a STEM activity on social communication for adolescents with ASD. Using solarbotics kits, peer dyads worked together over the course of a 12-week period to construct a functioning robot. Measures of social communication were collected prior to the initiation of the intervention, during the intervention, and after the intervention. Results indicated that the collaborative peer intervention using a STEM focused approach facilitated non-verbal and pragmatic improvements.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• autism spectrum disorder
• social communication
• STEM
• peer collaboration