What are the best evidence-based therapies for improving social skills in children with autism?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Evidence-Based Social Skills Interventions for Children with Autism
Video Modeling and Video-Based Interventions for Social Skills
Video modeling and other video-based interventions (VBIs) are among the most well-supported therapies for improving social skills in children with autism. Multiple reviews and meta-analyses have found that video modeling is highly effective and meets the criteria for being an evidence-based practice, showing strong improvements in social engagement and behavior across a wide range of studies and participant groups Wang2009Reichow2010Dean2021. Video modeling involves showing children videos of peers or adults demonstrating appropriate social behaviors, which the children then imitate. This approach is especially effective for children and adolescents with high-functioning autism McCoy2016Wang2009Reichow2010+1 MORE.
Computer-Based Instruction and Technology-Assisted Interventions
Computer-based instruction (CBI) is another intervention with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness in teaching social skills to children with autism, particularly those with high-functioning autism. CBI uses interactive computer programs to teach and reinforce social behaviors, and has been classified as an established evidence-based practice . These interventions are often engaging for children and can be tailored to individual needs.
Social Skills Groups and Peer-Mediated Interventions
Social skills groups, where children with autism participate in structured group activities designed to teach and practice social behaviors, have accumulated substantial evidence and are considered established evidence-based practices . Peer-mediated interventions, which involve typically developing peers modeling and reinforcing social skills, are also widely used and have demonstrated positive outcomes in both clinic and school settings Wang2009Campbell2020. These approaches help children generalize social skills to real-world environments.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Social Skills
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is well-established for treating anxiety in children with autism and has shown promise for improving social skills, though results are mixed and further research is needed to clarify its effectiveness specifically for social skill development You2023Zhou2025. CBT interventions often focus on helping children recognize social cues, manage emotions, and practice appropriate social responses.
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Parent-Implemented Interventions
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and parent-implemented interventions (PII) have been shown to significantly improve socialization and communication in children with autism. These approaches involve structured teaching of communication skills, often with active involvement from parents, and have demonstrated significant improvements in social relationships and language abilities .
Occupational Therapy and Social Play Therapy
Occupational therapy interventions, including play-based approaches, have shown promise in enhancing social communication skills in children with autism, though more research is needed to establish their long-term effectiveness . Social play therapy, which uses structured play activities to teach social skills like sharing, turn-taking, and understanding emotions, has also been found to significantly improve social abilities in children with autism .
School-Based Social Skills Interventions
School-based interventions that include typically developing peers and are implemented in inclusive settings have been effective in improving social behaviors in children with autism. These interventions often use naturalistic observation and focus on real-world social interactions, helping children generalize skills beyond clinical settings .
Conclusion
The best evidence-based therapies for improving social skills in children with autism include video modeling and video-based interventions, computer-based instruction, social skills groups, peer-mediated interventions, and structured programs like PECS and parent-implemented interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy and occupational therapy approaches, including social play therapy, also show promise. Combining these interventions and tailoring them to the individual needs of each child can lead to meaningful improvements in social skills and overall functioning McCoy2016Wang2009You2023+7 MORE.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Cognitive behavioural therapy to improve social skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
CBT shows mixed results in improving social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder, highlighting the need for further development and evaluation.
Effectiveness of evidence-based intervention on social skill and communication among autism spectrum disorder children.
PECS and parent-implemented intervention significantly improve socialization and communication in ASD children compared to routine care.
DOI