RT - Journal Article T1 - The Effectiveness of an Intervention Program Based on Functional Communication Training on the Social and Communication Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder JF - childmh YR - 2022 JO - childmh VO - 9 IS - 2 UR - http://childmentalhealth.ir/article-1-1178-en.html SP - 78 EP - 91 K1 - Children with autism spectrum disorder K1 - functional communication K1 - social skills K1 - communication skills AB - Background and Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder is a neuropsychological disorder that causes difficulties in social and intellectual functioning. In order to design an effective intervention program based on functional communication training in the social and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder, the current study was done. Method: In terms of purpose, this research was pragmatic, and its method of data collection was semi-experimental, with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up plan for the control group. In 2018, the statistical population consisted of all children with autism spectrum disorder level 1 between the ages of 4 and 8 in Tehran, as well as their parents. Thirty children with autism spectrum disorder, level 1, were selected on purpose using different criteria from the Padideh Clinic and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received fifteen sessions of the intervention program, while the control group received the standard programs of the rehabilitation center. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (James and Gilliam, 2003), the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ; Ehler and Gilberg, 1993), and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC; Rimland and Edelson, 1999) were utilized to collect data. The data were then analyzed using SPSS 26's multivariate covariance analysis and a t-test correlated with a modified alpha. Results: The intervention program based on functional communication training significantly improved the social and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (P<0.01). The effect size was for the social skills (0.87 points) and communication skills (0.92 points) components. In addition, the findings of the paired sample t-test indicated that the effect of the functional communication training program on the social and communication skills components throughout the follow-up phase was successful and consistent. Conclusion: According to the research findings, it can be concluded that training can improve the social and communication skills of autistic children, and that a treatment program based on functional communication training can be utilized as an effective intervention to develop these skills. LA eng UL http://childmentalhealth.ir/article-1-1178-en.html M3 10.52547/jcmh.9.2.7 ER -