. 2023 Jan 21;54(4):1281–1316. doi: 10.1007/s10803-023-05893-z

Table 5.

Quality, design, eligibility criteria, setting, dosage and duration, stakeholders and costs of studies (k = 18) evaluating the efficacy of a social skills group training program for autistic youth via an RCT design

First author (year)/country	Design	Quality	Eligibility	Setting characteristics	Dosage, duration	Stakeholders, n per group (characteristic)	Cost of attendance/incentives
Afsharnejad et al. (2021a, 2021b) Australia	Two armed parallel RCT SS calculated based on previous studies of the program (N = 90) Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 46) Con: Active control cooking group (n = 44)	MQ^a = 96% PF^b = 0.92 CONSORT diagram available-	Inclusion: Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 65/25) IQ > 70 (WASI-II) Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS (based on DSM-IV/5) confirmed by ADOS Exclusion: Insufficient English language skills, low expressed intrinsic motivation to attend, evidence of rule-breaking and/or aggressive behaviours (confirmed by CBCL), a self-reported history of severe clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or any form of schizophrenia or related psychotic disorder	4 centres from the Autism Association of Western Australia	16 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) 3 × 90-min concurrent PAA sessions	4–8 (AA) 19 (trained and supervised Occupational therapist [n = 12], psychologist [n = 2], educators [n = 3], social workers [n = 1], and speech therapists [n = 1])	Free/No
Choque Olsson et al. (2017) Sweden	Two armed parallel RCT SS calculated based on a pilot study (N = 296) Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 150) Con: Usual care (n = 146)	MQ^a = 88% PF^b = 0.76 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 7–17 years old (M/F = 208/88) IQ > 70 (WISC-IV) Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS Motivation to participate Exclusion: Clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and any psychotic disorder, Insufficient Swedish language skills	12 Outpatient units and one academic clinical outpatient unit	12 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) /60 min (AC) 3 × 90-min concurrent PAA sessions	4–8 (AA/AC) 2 (trained and supervised psychologists [n = 39], social workers [n = 5], nurses [n = 5], special educators [n = 2] and speech therapists [n = 1])	NR /$12 Voucher
Corbett et al. (2016) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 30) Exp: SENSE Theatre® (n = 14) Con: Waitlist (n = 16)	MQ^a = 81% PF^b = 0.54 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 8–14 years old (M/F = 24/6) IQ > 70 (WASI) Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) confirmed by ADOS	University School of Nashville	10 weekly sessions 240 min	NR (AA/AC) NR (trained and supervised staff [n = NR]) 12 (trained and supervised NTA, M_age = 15.33 years old, SD = 1.12, [n = NR])	Free/NR
Corbett et al. (2019) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 77) Exp: SENSE Theatre® (n = 44) Con: Waitlist (n = 33)	MQ^a = 81% PF^b = 0.62 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 8–16 years old (M/F = 59/18) IQ > 70 (WASI) Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) confirmed by ADOS Exclusion: Aggressive behaviours (verbal or physical threats of harming other	A School auditorium	10 weekly sessions 240 min	NR (AA/AC) NR (trained and supervised staff [n = NR]) 12 (trained and supervised USN Theatre Guild members [n = NR])	Free/NR
Freitag et al. (2016) Germany	Two armed parallel RCT SS calculated based on a pilot study (N = 209) Exp: SOSTA-FRA (n = 107) Con: Usual care (n = 102)	MQ^a = 81% PF^b = 0.51 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 8–19 years old (M/F = 186/15) IQ > 70 (WISC/WAIS) Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS/ADI-R Fluency in German Exclusion: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, social phobia, OCD, MDD with suicidal thoughts, psychiatric disorders, aggressive behaviour, neurological disorders (except well-treated epilepsy), medical conditions interfering with therapy, exposure to SSGPs (< 6 months)	Six German University Departments and an outpatient clinic	12 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) /60 min (AC) 3 × 90-min concurrent PAA session	4–5 (AA/AC) 2 (CBT-trained therapists [n = NR], supervision NR)	NR/NR
Jonsson et al. (2018) Sweden	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 50) Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 23) Con: Usual care (n = 27)	MQ^a = 96% PF^b = 0.82 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 7–17 years old (M/F = 35/15) IQ > 70 (WISC-III/IV) Diagnosis: ASD (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS Motivation to participate Exclusion: Clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, anti-social borderline personality disorder, psychotic disorders, Insufficient Swedish language skills	psychiatry outpatient unit and an academic clinical outpatient unit	24 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) /60 min (AC) 3 × 90-min concurrent parent session	4–8 (AA/AC) 2–3 (trained and supervised Psychologists [n = 7])	NR/€11 Voucher
Ko et al. (2019) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 40) Exp: PEERS® (n = 20) Con: Waitlist (n = 20)	MQ^a = 96% PF^b = 0.56 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 24/11) IQ > 70 (KBIT) Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) diagnosis not confirmed Communicate/comprehend full sentences; mild/severe autism characteristics	NR	20 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) 5–10 min (PAA)	4–6 (AA) NR (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = 4]) NR (trained and supervised NTA volunteers)	NR/NR
Laugeson et al. (2009) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 33) Exp: PEERS® (n = 17) Con: Waitlist (n = 16)	MQ^a = 77% PF^b = 0.43 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 28/5) IQ > 70 (K-BIT) Diagnosis: High functioning autism, AS, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) diagnosis not confirmed Fluency in English No history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis), hearing, visual, or physical impairments	NR	12 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	7 (AA) NR (trained and supervised psychologists [n = NR]) 1 (trained and supervised coaches, Psychology postgraduate student Research assistant [n = NR])	NR/Paid parking, brief evaluation summary, weekly light meal with beverages
Lerner et al. (2012) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 13) Exp: SDARI (n = 7) Con: Active control (Skill streaming; n = 6)	MQ^a = 77% PF^b = 0.53 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: NR (M/F = 13/0) IQ: NR Diagnosis: Autism, AS, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by SCQ & SRS	NR	4 weekly sessions 90 min	7 (AA) NR (trained and supervised staff [n = 3])	NR/NR
Matthews et al. (2018) USA	Three armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 34) Exp: PEERS® with peers (n = 12) Con 1: Active control (traditional PEERS®, n = 10) Con 2: Waitlist (n = 12)	MQ^a = 85% PF^b = 0.52 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 28/6) Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT) Diagnosis: Autism, ASD (based on DSM-IV/5) confirmed by ADOS > 80% education in the general education setting, difficulty making friends according to parent report, parent willingness to be involved Exclusion: Home-schooled or online students	A community-based non-profit autism centre	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	NR (AA) 3 (trained and supervised postgraduate counsellors [n = 3] and undergraduate clinicians [n = 1]) NR (trained and supervised NTA peers with no diagnosed disorders [n = 8])	NR/$150 Voucher
Matthews et al. (2020) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 21) Exp: Accelerated PEERS® (n = 11) Con: Active control (traditional PEERS®; n = 10)	MQ^a = 77% PF^b = 0.31 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 17/4) Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT) Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-IV /5) confirmed by ADOS > 80% in the general education setting, difficulty making friends according to parent report, parent willingness to be involved	A community-based non-profit autism centre	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	5 (AA) 3 (trained and supervised Master’s and Bachelor’s level practitioners [n = NR]) NR (trained and supervised NTA [n = NR])	NR/NR
Rabin et al. (2018) Israel	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 41) Exp: PEERS® (n = 20) Con: Waitlist (n = 21)	MQ^a = 88% PF^b = 0.30 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 39/2) IQ > 70 (WISC-III/IV) Diagnosis: ASD (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS Motivation to participate Born in Israel & Speak Hebrew No severe behavioural problems; Parents willingness to be a social coach and attend all sessions	NR	16 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	NR	NR/Voucher for Parents and teachers (amount NR)
Schohl et al. (2014) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 58) Exp: PEERS® (n = 25) Con: Waitlist (n = 33)	MQ^a = 81% PF^b = 0.36 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 11–16 years old (M/F = 47/11) Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT) Diagnosis: ASD, confirmed by ADOS Motivation to participate Fluency in English No history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis), hearing, visual, or physical impairments	NR	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	≤ 10 (AA) 3 (trained and supervised postgraduate psychology students [n = 5]) 1 (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = NR])	Free/$30 Voucher
Shum et al. (2019) China	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 72) Exp: PEERS® (n = 43) Con: Waitlist (n = 29)	MQ^a = 85% PF^b = 0.35 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 11–15 years old (M/F = 57/15) Verbal IQ > 70 (WISC-IV) Diagnosis: Autistic disorder, AS, ASD, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS Fluency in Cantonese Studying at a high school in Hong Kong Exclusion: Low motivation, ADOS < 5, other medical problems, previous exposure to PEERS®	At community service centres	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	≤ 10 (AA) 4 (trained and supervised social workers, speech therapists or occupational therapists [n = 18]) NR (trained and supervised Psychology undergraduate student coaches [n = NR])	NR/NR
Van Hecke et al. (2015) USA	Two armed parallel RCT with case-control SS not calculated (N = 79) Exp: PEERS® (AA, n = 35) Con: Waitlist (AA, n = 31) Case-control (NTA, n = 30)	MQ^a = 81% PF^b = 0.44 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion (AA/NTA): Age: 11–16 years old (M/F = 67/12) Verbal IQ > 70 (WISC-IV) Motivation to make friends Fluency in English No neural, physical, hearing, or visual impairments, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia co-occurrence; and enrolment in middle/high school or having weekly peers contacts outside of the family, if home-schooled Additional requirements for AA: Diagnosis: Autism, ASD (based on the DSM-IV) confirmed by ADOS Attending at least 12 sessions Additional requirements for NTA: ASSQ < 13 and CBCL < 65	NR	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	NR (AA) NR (trained and supervised postgraduate psychology students [n = NR]) NR (trained and supervised Psychology undergraduate student coaches [n = NR])	Free/$30 Voucher
Vernon et al. (2018) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 40) Exp: START (n = 21) Con: Waitlist (n = 19)	MQ^a = 85% PF^b = 0.44 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion: Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 24/11) Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT) Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADI-R Exclusion: Not having an ASD diagnosis	NR	20 weekly sessions 90 min (AA) 5–10 min (PAA)	3–6 (AA) 2–4 (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = NR]) 1–2 (trained and supervised NTA volunteers [n = NR])	NR/NR
White et al. (2013) USA	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 30) Exp: MASSI (n = 15) Con: Waitlist (n = 15)	MQ^a = 88% PF^b = 0.44 CONSORT diagram available	Inclusion Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 23/7) Verbal IQ > 70 (measure NR) Diagnosis: Autism, AS, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADOS Exclusion: Primary diagnosis of OCD, special phobias, panic disorder with/without Agoraphobia, Serious behaviour issues	NR	13 (In)/7 (G) weekly sessions 60–75 min	3 (AA) 1 (trained and supervised psychologists [n = 1] and postgraduate psychology students) NR (trained and supervised NTA volunteers [n = NR])	NR/NR
Yoo et al. (2014) Korea	Two armed parallel RCT SS not calculated (N = 47) Exp: PEERS® (n = 23) Con: Waitlist (n = 24)	MQ^a = 88% PF^b = 0.47 No CONSORT diagram	Inclusion: Age: 12–18 years old (M/F = 44/3) Verbal IQ > 65 (WISC-IV) Diagnosis: Autistic disorder, AS, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADOS Motivation to participate Fluency in Korean No history of major mental illness, current aggressive behaviour or severe oppositional tendency, and no hearing, visual, physical, or neurological disabilities	NR	14 weekly sessions 90 min (AA/PAA)	6–10 (AA) NR (trained and supervised Psychiatrists, psychologists, special educators [n = 6]) NR (trained and supervised coaches [n = 3])	NR/NR

First author (year)/country

Design

Quality

Eligibility

Setting characteristics

Dosage, duration

Stakeholders, n per group (characteristic)

Cost of attendance/incentives

Afsharnejad et al. (2021a, 2021b)

Australia

Two armed parallel RCT

SS calculated based on previous studies of the program (N = 90)

Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 46)

Con: Active control cooking group (n = 44)

MQ^a = 96%

PF^b = 0.92

CONSORT diagram available-

Inclusion:

Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 65/25)

IQ > 70 (WASI-II)

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS (based on DSM-IV/5) confirmed by ADOS

Exclusion:

Insufficient English language skills, low expressed intrinsic motivation to attend, evidence of rule-breaking and/or aggressive behaviours (confirmed by

CBCL), a self-reported history of severe clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or any form of schizophrenia or related psychotic disorder

4 centres from the Autism Association of Western Australia

16 weekly sessions

90 min (AA)

3 × 90-min concurrent PAA sessions

4–8 (AA)

19 (trained and supervised Occupational therapist [n = 12], psychologist [n = 2], educators [n = 3], social workers [n = 1], and speech therapists [n = 1])

Free/No

Choque Olsson et al. (2017)

Sweden

Two armed parallel RCT

SS calculated based on a pilot study (N = 296)

Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 150)

Con: Usual care (n = 146)

MQ^a = 88%

PF^b = 0.76

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 7–17 years old (M/F = 208/88)

IQ > 70 (WISC-IV)

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS

Motivation to participate

Exclusion:

Clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, and any psychotic disorder, Insufficient Swedish language skills

12 Outpatient units and one academic clinical outpatient unit

12 weekly sessions

90 min (AA) /60 min (AC)

3 × 90-min concurrent PAA sessions

4–8 (AA/AC)

2 (trained and supervised psychologists [n = 39], social workers [n = 5], nurses [n = 5], special educators [n = 2] and speech therapists [n = 1])

NR /$12 Voucher

Corbett et al. (2016)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 30)

Exp: SENSE Theatre® (n = 14)

Con: Waitlist (n = 16)

MQ^a = 81%

PF^b = 0.54

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 8–14 years old (M/F = 24/6)

IQ > 70 (WASI)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) confirmed by ADOS

University School of Nashville

10 weekly sessions

240 min

NR (AA/AC)

NR (trained and supervised staff [n = NR])

12 (trained and supervised NTA, M_age = 15.33 years old, SD = 1.12, [n = NR])

Free/NR

Corbett et al. (2019)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 77)

Exp: SENSE Theatre® (n = 44)

Con: Waitlist (n = 33)

MQ^a = 81%

PF^b = 0.62

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 8–16 years old (M/F = 59/18)

IQ > 70 (WASI)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) confirmed by ADOS

Exclusion:

Aggressive behaviours (verbal or physical threats of harming other

A School auditorium

10 weekly sessions

240 min

NR (AA/AC)

NR (trained and supervised staff [n = NR])

12 (trained and supervised USN Theatre Guild members [n = NR])

Free/NR

Freitag et al. (2016)

Germany

Two armed parallel RCT

SS calculated based on a pilot study (N = 209)

Exp: SOSTA-FRA (n = 107)

Con: Usual care (n = 102)

MQ^a = 81%

PF^b = 0.51

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 8–19 years old (M/F = 186/15)

IQ > 70 (WISC/WAIS)

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS/ADI-R

Fluency in German

Exclusion:

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, social phobia, OCD, MDD with suicidal thoughts, psychiatric disorders, aggressive behaviour, neurological disorders (except well-treated epilepsy), medical conditions interfering with therapy, exposure to SSGPs (< 6 months)

Six German University Departments and an outpatient clinic

12 weekly sessions

90 min (AA) /60 min (AC)

3 × 90-min concurrent PAA session

4–5 (AA/AC)

2 (CBT-trained therapists [n = NR], supervision NR)

NR/NR

Jonsson et al. (2018)

Sweden

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 50)

Exp: KONTAKT® (n = 23)

Con: Usual care (n = 27)

MQ^a = 96%

PF^b = 0.82

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 7–17 years old (M/F = 35/15)

IQ > 70 (WISC-III/IV)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS

Motivation to participate

Exclusion:

Clinically assessed self-injury, conduct disorder, anti-social borderline personality disorder, psychotic disorders, Insufficient Swedish language skills

psychiatry outpatient unit and an academic clinical outpatient unit

24 weekly sessions

90 min (AA) /60 min (AC)

3 × 90-min concurrent parent session

4–8 (AA/AC)

2–3 (trained and supervised Psychologists [n = 7])

NR/€11 Voucher

Ko et al. (2019)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 40)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 20)

Con: Waitlist (n = 20)

MQ^a = 96%

PF^b = 0.56

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 24/11)

IQ > 70 (KBIT)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-5) diagnosis not confirmed

Communicate/comprehend full sentences; mild/severe autism characteristics

20 weekly sessions

90 min (AA)

5–10 min (PAA)

4–6 (AA)

NR (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = 4])

NR (trained and supervised NTA volunteers)

NR/NR

Laugeson et al. (2009)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 33)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 17)

Con: Waitlist (n = 16)

MQ^a = 77%

PF^b = 0.43

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 28/5)

IQ > 70 (K-BIT)

Diagnosis: High functioning autism, AS, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) diagnosis not confirmed

Fluency in English

No history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis), hearing, visual, or physical impairments

12 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

7 (AA)

NR (trained and supervised psychologists [n = NR])

1 (trained and supervised coaches, Psychology postgraduate student Research assistant [n = NR])

NR/Paid parking, brief evaluation summary, weekly light meal with beverages

Lerner et al. (2012)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 13)

Exp: SDARI (n = 7)

Con: Active control (Skill streaming; n = 6)

MQ^a = 77%

PF^b = 0.53

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: NR (M/F = 13/0)

IQ: NR

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by SCQ & SRS

4 weekly sessions

90 min

7 (AA)

NR (trained and supervised staff [n = 3])

NR/NR

Matthews et al. (2018)

USA

Three armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 34)

Exp: PEERS® with peers (n = 12)

Con 1: Active control (traditional PEERS®, n = 10)

Con 2: Waitlist (n = 12)

MQ^a = 85%

PF^b = 0.52

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 28/6)

Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT)

Diagnosis: Autism, ASD (based on DSM-IV/5) confirmed by ADOS

> 80% education in the general education setting, difficulty making friends according to parent report, parent willingness to be involved

Exclusion:

Home-schooled or online students

A community-based non-profit autism centre

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

NR (AA)

3 (trained and supervised postgraduate counsellors [n = 3] and undergraduate clinicians [n = 1])

NR (trained and supervised NTA peers with no diagnosed disorders [n = 8])

NR/$150 Voucher

Matthews et al. (2020)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 21)

Exp: Accelerated PEERS® (n = 11)

Con: Active control (traditional PEERS®; n = 10)

MQ^a = 77%

PF^b = 0.31

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 13–17 years old (M/F = 17/4)

Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on DSM-IV /5) confirmed by ADOS

> 80% in the general education setting, difficulty making friends according to parent report, parent willingness to be involved

A community-based non-profit autism centre

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

5 (AA)

3 (trained and supervised Master’s and Bachelor’s level practitioners [n = NR])

NR (trained and supervised NTA [n = NR])

NR/NR

Rabin et al. (2018) Israel

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 41)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 20)

Con: Waitlist (n = 21)

MQ^a = 88%

PF^b = 0.30

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 39/2)

IQ > 70 (WISC-III/IV)

Diagnosis: ASD (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS

Motivation to participate

Born in Israel & Speak Hebrew

No severe behavioural problems; Parents willingness to be a social coach and attend all sessions

16 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

NR/Voucher for Parents and teachers (amount NR)

Schohl et al. (2014)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 58)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 25)

Con: Waitlist (n = 33)

MQ^a = 81%

PF^b = 0.36

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 11–16 years old (M/F = 47/11)

Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT)

Diagnosis: ASD, confirmed by ADOS

Motivation to participate

Fluency in English

No history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis), hearing, visual, or physical impairments

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

≤ 10 (AA)

3 (trained and supervised postgraduate psychology students [n = 5])

1 (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = NR])

Free/$30 Voucher

Shum et al. (2019)

China

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 72)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 43)

Con: Waitlist (n = 29)

MQ^a = 85%

PF^b = 0.35

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 11–15 years old (M/F = 57/15)

Verbal IQ > 70 (WISC-IV)

Diagnosis: Autistic disorder, AS, ASD, PDD-NOS (based on ICD-10) confirmed by ADOS

Fluency in Cantonese

Studying at a high school in Hong Kong

Exclusion:

Low motivation, ADOS < 5, other medical problems, previous exposure to PEERS®

At community service centres

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

≤ 10 (AA)

4 (trained and supervised social workers, speech therapists or occupational therapists [n = 18])

NR (trained and supervised Psychology undergraduate student coaches [n = NR])

NR/NR

Van Hecke et al. (2015)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT with case-control

SS not calculated (N = 79)

Exp: PEERS® (AA, n = 35)

Con: Waitlist (AA, n = 31)

Case-control (NTA, n = 30)

MQ^a = 81%

PF^b = 0.44

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion (AA/NTA):

Age: 11–16 years old (M/F = 67/12)

Verbal IQ > 70 (WISC-IV)

Motivation to make friends

Fluency in English

No neural, physical, hearing, or visual impairments, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia co-occurrence; and enrolment in middle/high school or having weekly peers contacts outside of the family, if home-schooled

Additional requirements for AA:

Diagnosis: Autism, ASD (based on the DSM-IV) confirmed by ADOS

Attending at least 12 sessions

Additional requirements for NTA:

ASSQ < 13 and CBCL < 65

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

NR (AA)

NR (trained and supervised postgraduate psychology students [n = NR])

NR (trained and supervised Psychology undergraduate student coaches [n = NR])

Free/$30 Voucher

Vernon et al. (2018)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 40)

Exp: START (n = 21)

Con: Waitlist (n = 19)

MQ^a = 85%

PF^b = 0.44

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion:

Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 24/11)

Verbal IQ > 70 (K-BIT)

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, Atypical autism, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADI-R

Exclusion:

Not having an ASD diagnosis

20 weekly sessions

90 min (AA)

5–10 min (PAA)

3–6 (AA)

2–4 (trained and supervised undergraduate research assistants [n = NR])

1–2 (trained and supervised NTA volunteers [n = NR])

NR/NR

White et al. (2013)

USA

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 30)

Exp: MASSI (n = 15)

Con: Waitlist (n = 15)

MQ^a = 88%

PF^b = 0.44

CONSORT diagram available

Inclusion

Age: 12–17 years old (M/F = 23/7)

Verbal IQ > 70 (measure NR)

Diagnosis: Autism, AS, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADOS

Exclusion:

Primary diagnosis of OCD, special phobias, panic disorder with/without Agoraphobia, Serious behaviour issues

13 (In)/7 (G) weekly sessions

60–75 min

3 (AA)

1 (trained and supervised psychologists [n = 1] and postgraduate psychology students)

NR (trained and supervised NTA volunteers [n = NR])

NR/NR

Yoo et al. (2014)

Korea

Two armed parallel RCT

SS not calculated (N = 47)

Exp: PEERS® (n = 23)

Con: Waitlist (n = 24)

MQ^a = 88%

PF^b = 0.47

No CONSORT diagram

Inclusion:

Age: 12–18 years old (M/F = 44/3)

Verbal IQ > 65 (WISC-IV)

Diagnosis: Autistic disorder, AS, PDD-NOS, confirmed by ADOS

Motivation to participate

Fluency in Korean

No history of major mental illness, current aggressive behaviour or severe oppositional tendency, and no hearing, visual, physical, or neurological disabilities

14 weekly sessions

90 min (AA/PAA)

6–10 (AA)

NR (trained and supervised Psychiatrists, psychologists, special educators [n = 6])

NR (trained and supervised coaches [n = 3])

NR/NR

AA autistic adolescent, AC autistic children, ADI-R Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, ADOS Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, AS Asperger syndrome, ASD autism spectrum disorder, ASSQ Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, CBCL Child Behaviours Checklist, CBT cognitive behavioural therapy, Con control group, DSM-IV Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition, DSM-5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition, Exp experiment group, F female, G group sessions, ICD-10 International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10th Edition, PF program fidelity, In Individual sessions, K-BIT Kaufman Brief Intelligence Scale, M male, MASSI Multimodal Anxiety and Social Skill Program, MDD major depression disorder, MQ methodological quality, NR not reported, NTA neurotypical adolescents, OCD obsessive–compulsive disorder, PAA parents of autistic adolescents, PDD-NOS pervasive developmental disorder, PEERS® Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills, SCQ Social Communication Questionnaire, SDARI Sociodramatic Affective Relational Program, SS sample size, SSGP social skills group program, START Social Tools and Rules for Teens, USN University School of Nashville, WASI Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, WAIS Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, WISC-III Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition, WISC-IV Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Forth Edition

^aAssessed via Kmet Checklist (Kmet et al., 2004) with scores of > 80% demonstrating strong, 70–80% good, 50–70% adequate and < 50% limited methodological quality (Lee et al., 2008)

^bAssessed via Treatment Fidelity Assessment and Implementation Plan with higher scores demonstrating higher adherence to the study’s protocol (Borrelli, 2011)