Adapting a Social Skills Intervention for Children with Autism within an Urban Specialty Community Clinic

Sauvé, Jennifer S.; O’Haire, Chelsea; Hall, Heather; Lane, Christianne J.; Hudson, Bradley O.

doi:10.1080/23794925.2018.1483214

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Developed in Australia, SAS has a substantial international research base supporting its effectiveness for children aged eight to twelve years with a range of neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders (Thomson et al, 2015, Sauve et al, 2018, Beaumont et al, 2019. Based on the principals of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), SAS teaches children how to recognize emotions in themselves and others, express feelings in appropriate ways, talk and play with others, solve social problems and manage bullying.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Secret Agent Society (SAS) is an espionage themed, multimedia intervention programme, which uses an evidence-based curriculum to improve children's emotional regulation and social communication skills (Beaumont & Sofronoff, 2008). Developed in Australia, SAS has a substantial international research base supporting its effectiveness for children aged eight to twelve years with a range of neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders (Thomson et al 2015;Sauve et al 2018;Beaumont et al 2019). Based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), SAS teaches children how to recognise emotions in themselves and others, express feelings in appropriate ways, talk and play with others, solve social problems and manage bullying.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adapting an emotional regulation and social communication skills group programme to teletherapy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

MacEvilly¹,

Brosnan²

2020

Ir. j. psychol. Med.

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The Covid-19 pandemic created an unprecedented situation whereby essential services within child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) were suspended. This created a need to modify regular methods of treatment at a rapid pace, to avoid cessation of clinical intervention and prevent potential regression in mental health. Eighteen children with moderate-severe mental health disorders and their parents were attending weekly group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) based sessions (‘The Secret Agent Society’ (SAS) programme) when the Irish Department of Health suspended face-to-face intervention. This report describes how the group sessions were adapted to individualized, online therapeutic triads between each child, his/her parent and their clinician. Whilst internet technology has emerged as a promising solution to shortfalls in therapy services, in-depth exploration is needed to confirm the efficacy of telehealth for children attending CAMHS.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting an emotional regulation and social communication skills group programme to teletherapy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

MacEvilly¹,

Brosnan²

2020

Ir. j. psychol. Med.

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“…Effectiveness has been investigated in mainstream schools (Beaumont et al, 2015), on an individual basis (Tan et al, 2015; Thomson et al, 2015), remotely via Skype/phone (Beaumont et al, 2021; Sofronoff et al, 2015), in specialist autism classes (Enfield et al, 2017) and in hospital and university clinics (Beaumont et al, 2019) in Australia, America and Canada. Sauvé et al (2018) adapted the SAS programme for 24 children (aged 8–13) attending a ‘specialty mental health clinic’ in California. The cohort of children all had a primary diagnosis of autism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Beaumont et al, 2019; Sofronoff et al, 2015). Teachers and occupational therapists have also been involved in published SAS research (Enfield et al, 2017; Sauve et al, 2018). No published SAS studies cite facilitation by SLTs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing children's emotional regulation and social communication through group intervention – evidence of impact in an Irish outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

MacEvilly,

Maguire,

Brosnan

et al. 2024

Child Language Teaching and Therapy

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In the last decade, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have observed an unprecedented rise in young children presenting with suicidal ideation, needing urgent assessment and treatment. Once stabilised, CAMHS professionals often refer these children to speech and language therapists (SLTs) for assessment of and support for their social-emotional skills. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) is an evidence-based intervention for children with significant emotional regulation and social communication challenges. No published peer-reviewed evidence exists for the use of SAS for children with moderate-severe mental health disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SAS in an Irish outpatient CAMHS. Fifty-one children (30 boys, 21 girls) aged 8–12 years (mean age 10:11) with diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorder and/or autism attended the 14-week programme. Questionnaires were completed by children, their parents (51 mothers, 45 fathers) and teachers pre-intervention, post-intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Statistically significant improvements were made in children's social communication ( F (1.985, 99.273) = 24.900, p < 0.001) and emotional regulation ( F (1.787, 89.358) = 27.302, p < 0.001) across home and school settings. Children's knowledge of emotional regulation strategies also significantly improved. Treatment gains were maintained up to 6-months post-intervention. Results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of SAS in an Irish outpatient CAMHS. A cost–benefit analysis would determine the feasibility of offering SAS in other outpatient community services. SLTs have a vital role to play in delivering intensive social-emotional skills support for children with complex diagnostic profiles within CAMHS and other specialised multi-disciplinary teams.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety in Children

Nabors

2020

Anxiety Management in Children With Mental and Physical Health Problems

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Adapting a Social Skills Intervention for Children with Autism within an Urban Specialty Community Clinic

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

Adapting an emotional regulation and social communication skills group programme to teletherapy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Adapting an emotional regulation and social communication skills group programme to teletherapy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Enhancing children's emotional regulation and social communication through group intervention – evidence of impact in an Irish outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anxiety in Children

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