Intervención sobre habilidades sociales mediante un juego de rol: un estudio de diseño mixto con jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual / Social skills intervention through role-playing: a mixed-design study with youth with intellectual disability

Resumen Objetivos. Identificar si existen mejoras en la interacción social de jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual a través del uso de una metodología basada en el juego de rol. Método. Se realizó un estudio de diseño mixto a partir de un programa de intervención breve, de ocho sesiones de duración, con un total de siete participantes. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizaron técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas como la observación sistemática, la observación directa no sistematizada y la Escala de Autoevaluación de Habilidades Sociales. Resultados. La intervención arrojó resultados modestos. La prueba W de Wilcoxon muestra diferencias significativas a nivel general. Las observaciones evidencian cambios en los comportamientos de los participantes, sobre todo en lo referente a respuestas alternativas a la agresión, la cuales fueron rápidamente sustituidas por estrategias pacíficas y actitudes dialogantes.

Abstract Objectives. The objective of this study was to identify if there are improvements in social interaction in young people with intellectual disabilities, using a methodology based on role playing. Method. A mixed design study based on a brief intervention program of eight sessions, with a total of seven participants, was used. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for data collection: systematic observation, non-systematized direct observation and the Social Skills Self-Assessment Scale. Results. The intervention yielded modest results. The Wilcoxon W test shows significant differences at the general level. Observations show changes in participants' behaviors, especially in terms of alternative responses to aggression, which were quickly replaced by peaceful strategies and dialogic attitudes.

Football as an Alternative to Work on the Development of Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Level 1.

Given the characteristics of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is evident the difficulties they show in the development of social skills. The scarce participation of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in group sports can be taken as a reference. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of football on the development of social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In order to measure the sporting impact, it was necessary to implement a football training programme with the intention of evaluating different social skills. Thirteen children participated in the programme, all of them with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and with a severity level of 1. The study was based on a pre-experimental, pre-test/post-test design. Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis, applying the Wilcoxon test. Two specific tools on social skills were used for data collection. The results showed a generalised improvement in the dimensions linked to the social skills assessed. This highlights the possibility of considering group sport as an alternative to be taken into account to work on and enhance social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.