Autism and Friendship Skills

If you are a pediatric therapist or special education teacher, you have probably helped when it comes to students with autism and friendship skills. We all know that children with autism want friends, but it can be a struggle.  Having friends is so important for all child's emotional outcomes and quality of life.

If you are a pediatric therapist or special education teacher, you have probably helped when it comes to students with autism and friendship skills. We all know that children with autism want friends, but it can be a struggle.  Having friends is so important for all children’s emotional outcomes and quality of life.

What does the recent research say about autism and friendship skills?

Recently the Autism journal published research on the relationship between activity participation, friendship, and internalizing problems in 129 children (ages 6-18 years) with autism spectrum disorder.  The data was examined from the following assessments and measures:

  • Child Behavior Checklist to assess childhood emotional and behavioral problems.  Parents have to report on friendships, internalizing problems and total activities.
  • Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–Second Edition to assess communication, daily living skills, and socialization.
  • various IQ measures.

Results of the Study on Autism and Friendship Skills

The results of the recent study on the relationship between activity participation, friendship, and internalizing problems in children with autism indicated the following:

  •  regarding activities, 62% of the children participated in at least one extracurricular sport or club.
  • more then half of the children with ASD did not have a single close friend.
  • children who participated in more sports, hobbies, and clubs were more likely to have at least one friend and participating in more activities was associated with more friends.
  • no direct relationship was found between friendships and internalizing problems.
  • no significant relationships between activities and internalizing behaviors.
  • IQ was strongly associated with friendship – average IQ was associated with having at least one friend and participating in more sports and clubs.  
  • greater internalizing problems were associated with higher IQ.

Conclusion

The researchers concluded that activity participation was related to more friendships, even after controlling for intelligence quotient.

Reference:  Dovgan, K. N., & Mazurek, M. O. (2018). Relations among activity participation, friendship, and internalizing problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 1362361318775541.

The Making Friends Social Stories for Girls OR Boys digital download offers help for one of the most distressing problems that our students and children face which is the inability to make and maintain friendships.

The Making Friends Social Stories for Girls And/Or Boys digital download offers help for one of the most distressing problems that our students and children face which is the inability to make and maintain friendships. So often what happens between children is out of our direct view and we only hear about what is happening when there are problems. Created by school-based Occupational Therapist, Thia Triggs, the Making Friends Social Stories for Girls And/Or Boys digital resource gives us concrete skills to teach to children, the context to practice skills, and positive language and illustrations so children feel successful at every step of the way. Clear, consistent visual expectations, previously rehearsed scenarios, and specific accommodations help children easily make friends! Designed specifically for students on the spectrum, as well as for children with ADHD, anxiety disorder, and intellectual challenges, this product also has applications for the shy or new child within a given setting. 

FIND OUT MORE.

Read more on:

Tips to Promote Participation of Children with Disabilities in Physical Activities

Key Factors to Help Improve the Participation of Children with Autism

Gross Motor and Social Skills in Boys with Autism

If you are a pediatric therapist or special education teacher, you have probably helped when it comes to students with autism and friendship skills. We all know that children with autism want friends, but it can be a struggle.  Having friends is so important for all child's emotional outcomes and quality of life.