Growing, Learning, and Living With Autism (GoriLLA) Group

The Growing, Learning, and Living With Autism (GoriLLA) Group is a parent-assisted intervention that blends Structured TEACCHing and Social Thinking components to teach social communication and self-regulation skills to first and second grade students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are included 80-100% of the time in regular education classrooms and read on grade level or above. The program consists of 12 weekly 90-minute sessions with parent-child large and small group activities, plus 20-30 minute parent breakout sessions. Sessions teach concepts including the Zones of Regulation for emotion identification, Social Thinking vocabulary (Expected vs. Unexpected Behaviors, The Group Plan, Thinking With Your Eyes, Body in the Group, Whole Body Listening), self-regulation strategies (deep breathing, chair yoga, stress balls, progressive relaxation), and social communication skills (SENSE: Space, Eye contact, Nodding, Statements, Expressions). Parents actively participate in sessions and complete weekly homework activities with their children. The intervention uses visual supports, environmental structure, and incorporates children's special interests. Two trained clinicians with master's degrees deliver the program, assisted by a clinical psychology doctoral student or postdoctoral fellow.