Assessing personal constructs of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a person-centered measure of social cognition

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Authors
Hess, Sean
Self, Trisha L.
DiLollo, Anthony
Advisors
Issue Date
2018-02
Type
Article
Keywords
Autism , Adolescent , Person-centered assessment , Personal constructs , Social cognition , Repertory grid
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Hess, S., Self, T. & DiLollo, A. J Autism Dev Disord (2018) 48: 485
Abstract

Many protocols assessing social communication skills of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are based on behavioral observations. It has been suggested, however, that social cognition encompasses processes underlying observable behaviors. Such processes include personal constructs, which can be assessed using repertory grids. Personal constructs of five adolescents with ASD with average or above average intelligence and receptive and expressive language skills were explored using repertory grids in this study. With visual structure and verbal scaffolding, all participants successfully engaged in the repertory grid process. Data suggest participants had well organized, complex construct systems, a significant understanding of social roles, and were interested in social interactions. Repertory grids may provide additional person-centered information for assessing social communication skills in ASD.

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Publisher
Springer
Journal
Book Title
Series
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders;v.48:no.2
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0162-3257
EISSN