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Promoting Social Interactions Between Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Their Peers in Inclusive School Settings

Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, owendesj{at}gvsu.edu

Edward G. Carr

State University of New York at Stony Brook

Sanja I. Cale

Long Island University and The Institute for Children With Autism, Long Island, New York

Audrey Blakeley-Smith

University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

This study evaluated the impact of a peer training intervention on social interactions among three students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their typical peers. Two second graders and one fourth grader with ASD participated. For each student with ASD, two to four typical peers participated in training sessions that targeted increased social interactions. Data collected during lunchtime and recess showed that the peer training intervention generally resulted in increased initiations by trained peers as well as increased initiations and responses by students with ASD. Unexpectedly, untrained peers also showed increased initiations. Future research directions are discussed, including characteristics of the peers selected for training (e.g., gender, popularity) and measurement of qualitative changes in social relationships and opportunities.

Key Words: autism • social skills • peer training • social initiations • schools

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Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 23, No. 1, 15-28 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1088357608314370


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Owen-DeSchryver, J. S. Articles by Blakeley-Smith, A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?