Which intervention is specifically designed to enhance social skills in individuals with ASD?

Peer-Mediated Instruction and Intervention is a targeted approach specifically crafted to improve social skills among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This intervention leverages the influence of peers as role models and supports, creating opportunities for social interaction and engagement in a structured manner. Peers are trained to facilitate interactions, provide feedback, and enhance the social learning experience in naturalistic settings.

This method focuses on fostering social relationships and enhancing the ability to communicate and interact effectively with others, which are critical components for individuals with ASD. The use of peers not only enriches the learning environment but also encourages the development of social norms and skills in a way that is relatable and socially valid for the individual with ASD.

In contrast, other interventions listed may not specifically target social skills. Functional behavioral assessment is primarily focused on understanding and addressing challenging behaviors through data collection and analysis but does not inherently provide strategies for social skill development. Discrete trial training is an instructional strategy used to teach a variety of skills, typically in a more structured and one-on-one context, and is not exclusively focused on social skills. Applied behavior analysis is a broader methodology that encompasses various techniques and interventions, not limited to social skills enhancement alone.