Examining the Efficacy of Peer Network Interventions on the Social Interactions of High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Developing positive peer relationships is important. Unfortunately, due to challenges in social communication and increased complexity of peer groups during adolescence, many secondary students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage in limited positive social interactions with peers. This study examined the effects of a peer network intervention implemented with three high school students with ASD. A multiple-baseline across participants design was used to evaluate the intervention on initiations and responses to and from students with ASD. The impact on frequency of victimization of students with ASD was also explored. Results indicate peer networks are effective at increasing social interactions of secondary students with ASD and provide preliminary support for the use of peer networks to reduce rates of bullying victimization.

Adverse childhood experiences in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…None of these broad interventions, however have focused on children with ASD. To date there has only been one small (N=3) pilot anti-bullying intervention investigated with youth with ASD [13]. The pilot study suggests peer networks are a promising strategy for increasing youth’s social interactions and reducing rates of bullying victimization of secondary students with ASD, but more work is needed in this area.…”

Features Of Verbal Communication Of Primary School Students With Visual Impairment

“…Analyses of obtained results suggest that speech impairments produce a negative effect on forecasting formation that further can lead to deviations in behavior in this category of children; the works of Sreckovic, Hume, and Able (2017); Mrachko and Kaczmarek (2017); Marshall, Harding, and Roulstone (2017); Sylvestre, Brisson, Lepage, Nadeau, and Deaudelin (2016); Bunning et al (2013); Bunning, Gooch, and Johnson (2017) prove this conclusion.…”

The Social Intervention for Adolescence with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review

“…Peer Network Intervention is one form of intervention that involves small groups of peers selected to provide support to individuals who experience problems in the social environment or those who experience ASD (Kamps et al, 2014) and provide opportunities for individuals to interact with peers (Sreckovic et al, 2017). These interventions are designed to improve relationships with peers and increase interaction between them by giving impetus to the social environment (Asmus et al, 2017;Carter et al, 2013;Biggs et al, 2018).…”

“…Intervention is also able to increase the social interaction of adolescents in secondary schools and is able to reduce the tendency of bullying behavior among them (Sreckovic, et al, 2017;Gardner et al, 2014). Peer Network Intervention is also able to improve the communication process of individuals and be able to develop their language skills (Kamps et al, 2014).…”