Daniela Di Ciano
Murdoch University

This investigation measured the social outcome of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had successfully completed an early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) program. The verbal behaviour of 12 children with ASD who were functioning at an age-appropriate level (“best outcome”), 8 children with ASD who had made moderate gains in an EIBI program (“moderate outcome”) and 12 typically-developing peers was measured as they took part in 10 minute dyadic interactions with an unfamiliar peer. Global competence ratings were made by peers following each interaction. The children with “best outcome” performed as competently as typical peers and the children with “moderate outcome” were rated significantly lower by peers. Analyses of their verbal behaviour revealed that “best outcome” children tended to initiate more comments and took part in longer conversations than typical peers. In contrast, children with “moderate outcome” attempted to secure attention and displayed inappropriate verbal behaviours, changed the topic and ignored requests more frequently than typically-developing children.