DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS WITH AUTISM
Although young children with autism may seem to prefer to
be by themselves, one of the most important issues for older children and
adults is the development of friendships with peers. It can take a great deal
of time and effort for them to develop the social skills needed to be able to
interact successfully with other children, but it is important to start early. In
addition, bullying in middle and high school can be a major problem for students
with autism, and the development of friendships is one of the best ways to
prevent this problem. Friendships can be encouraged informally by inviting
other children to the home to play. In
school, recess can be a valuable time for teachers to encourage play with other
children. Furthermore, time can be set
aside in school for formal “play time” between children with autism and
volunteer peers – typical children usually think that play time is much more
fun than regular school, and it can help develop lasting friendships. This is probably one of the most important
issues to include in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP, or
education plan for the child). Children
with autism often develop friendships through shared interests, such as
computers, school clubs, model airplanes, etc. Encourage activities that the
autistic individual can share with others.
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