Involvement or isolation? The social networks of children with autism in regular classrooms.

Full Abstract

Including children with autism in regular classrooms has become prevalent; yet some evidence suggests such placements could increase the risk of isolation and rejection. In this study, we used social network methods to explore the involvement of children with autism in typical classrooms. Participants were 398 children (196 boys) in regular 2nd through 5th grade classes, including 17 children (14 boys) with high functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome. Children reported on friendship qualities, peer acceptance, loneliness, and classroom social networks. Despite involvement in networks, children with autism experienced lower centrality, acceptance, companionship, and reciprocity; yet they did not report greater loneliness. Future research is needed to help children with autism move from the periphery to more effective engagement with peers.

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Author information

Author/s: Chamberlain, Brandt (B); Kasari, Connie (C); Rotheram-Fuller, Erin (E);

Affiliation: Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, P.O. Box 951521, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1521, USA. brandt(-atsign-)pasadenachilddevelopment.org

Grants: 1U54MH068172 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of autism and developmental disorders (J Autism Dev Disord), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Feb; vol 37 (issue 2) : pp 230-42

Dates: Created 2007/02/23; Completed 2007/05/01; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 16855874, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Autistic Disorder - psychology
Child
Female
Friends
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male

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