Applying Cognitive Science in Decision Support for Children's Autism Socialization Programs

The study aimed to delineate the factors underpinning the impact of socialization programming for children with autism. Instead of viewing effectiveness as a mere skill acquisition, the study approaches the issue from a broader theoretical framework: the Dual Process Theory of Decision Making (Evans & Stanovich, 2008) and the Diversity-Unity Model of Executive Function (Miyake et al., 2000). Accordingly, effectiveness is understood as an ecological value associated with the level of social integration. Data were retrieved from 624 residents from numerous provinces of Vietnam with an overall count of experts, parents, teachers, therapists, and academics. Randomized stratified sampling algorithms were implemented to confirm randomization and applicability, and thereafter the survey analysis software returned 385 usable responses for modelling. Social support resources were statistically the most significant predicting factors of successful programming (β = 0.719, p < 0.05), followed by DMIP (β = 0.608, p < 0.05). Executive function capabilities were demonstrated to moderate the extent of reliance on social support resources held (β = 0.484, p < 0.05), while also facilitating benefits of the family and community networks application. These findings extend theory by demonstrating that cognitive regulation and regulated decision-making factors are central to the success of long-term intervention, situating social support as a prerequisite and not an add-on, as opposed to a causative factor. For practical application, the study shows that evidence-based planning, combining executive function training with an improved support system, provides a foundation for integrated social integration. However, the study is restricted in that it relies on self-report data, has a cross-sectional design, and does not sample a large number of children with severe communication impairment. Future studies should utilize longitudinal designs and cross-cultural comparisons to achieve maximum generalizability.