Investigating a caregiver-assisted social skills group programme for primary and early high school-aged children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy: protocol for a pilot mixed-methods, two-group randomised trial of PEERS Plus.

Introduction: Reaching social milestones is an important goal of childhood. Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and cerebral palsy (CP) frequently experience challenges with social functioning and participation. The Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a group-based social skills programme for adolescents.

A systematic review of the efficacy of group social skills interventions on social functioning and social participation in children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Group social skills interventions (GSSIs) versus any comparator on social functioning in children aged 5-12 years with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy.

Background: GSSIs are an evidence-based approach to foster social skills development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Currently, limited literature exploring GSSIs in children with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy is available.

Exploring caregiver and participant experiences of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) for youth with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study explored the experience of adolescents with brain injuries and their caregivers who participated in the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) in Australia.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven adolescents and 31 caregivers, who completed the PEERS intervention as part of an RCT, contributed to focus groups following the 14-week program. Semi-structed interviews guided focus groups.

Social skills group training in adolescents with disabilities: A systematic review.

Background: Group social skills interventions (GSSIs) are offered to youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to improve social functioning. This systematic review focused on the adolescent population, including a wider range of disabilities.

Aims: To evaluate effectiveness of GSSIs at improving social functioning in adolescents with congenital, acquired or developmental disabilities.

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for adolescents with an acquired brain injury: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To test the efficacy of a group social skills intervention on social functioning in adolescents with a brain injury.

Method: Thirty-six adolescents (mean age 14y, SD 1y 8mo, age range 12y 1mo-16y 3mo; 17 females) with acquired brain injury (ABI; ≥12mo postintervention; n=19) or cerebral palsy (n=17) were randomly allocated to the Program for the Education in Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) or usual care. The primary outcome was the Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales (SSIS-RS).

Multicentre, randomised waitlist control trial investigating a parent-assisted social skills group programme for adolescents with brain injuries: protocol for the friends project.

Introduction: Adolescents with brain injury frequently have difficulties with social competence, which persist into adulthood affecting their participation in daily life. To date, there has been limited research into the efficacy of social competence interventions in this population. Research from the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) has demonstrated significant improvements in social competence skills, maintained at 1-year to 5-year follow-up, for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

A systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quality of Life measures for school aged children with cerebral palsy.

Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical utility of all condition specific outcome measures used to assess quality of life (QOL) in school aged children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Relevant outcome measures were identified by searching 8 electronic databases, supplemented by citation tracking. Two independent reviewers completed data extraction and analysis of the measures using a modified version of the CanChild Outcome Measures Rating Form.

A balancing act: children's experience of modified constraint-induced movement therapy.

Objective: This qualitative study explored the experiences of children participating in modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) within a circus-themed day camp.

Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were performed with 32 children (15 girls, 17 boys; mean age 10.1 years) to gain insights into their experience of CIMT.

INCITE: A randomised trial comparing constraint induced movement therapy and bimanual training in children with congenital hemiplegia.

Background: Congenital hemiplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy (CP) accounting for 1 in 1300 live births. These children have limitations in capacity to use the impaired upper limb and bimanual coordination deficits which impact on daily activities and participation in home, school and community life. There are currently two diverse intensive therapy approaches.

Upper limb activity measures for 5- to 16-year-old children with congenital hemiplegia: a systematic review.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to compare the validity, reliability, evaluative validity, and clinical utility of upper limb activity measures for children aged 5 to 16 years with congenital hemiplegia.

Method: Electronic databases were searched to identify assessments that measure upper limb activity available for use and for which published validity and reliability data for the population are obtainable. Assessment items were coded according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories to determine if at least 35% of the assessment items fell within the activity component of the ICF.