The Development and Maintenance of Friendship in High-Functioning Children with Autism: Maternal Perceptions

The current study investigated mothers’ perceptions of the development of friendship in high-functioning children with autism and in typically developing children. Fourteen mothers in each group (autism, typical) completed the Childhood Friendship Survey regarding their children’s friendships. Main...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Autism : the international journal of research and practice 2003-03, Vol.7 (1), p.81-97
Main Authors: Bauminger, Nirit, Shulman, Cory
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Autism
Autistic children
Autistic Disorder - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child clinical studies
Childhood
Children & youth
Developmental disorders
Elementary Secondary Education
Female
Friends - psychology
Friendship
High functioning
Humans
Individual Characteristics
Infantile autism
Interpersonal Competence
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Mother-Child Relations
Mothers
Peer Group
Peer Relationship
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Recreational Activities
Sex Factors
Social Development
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Summary:The current study investigated mothers’ perceptions of the development of friendship in high-functioning children with autism and in typically developing children. Fourteen mothers in each group (autism, typical) completed the Childhood Friendship Survey regarding their children’s friendships. Main results indicated that both groups (autism and typical) tended to have same-gender and same-age friendships. However, friendships of children with autism differ compared with typical children’s friendships on number of friends, friendship duration, frequency of meetings, and type of activities. Half of the friendships in the autism group were mixed (friendship with a typically developing child). Mixed differed from non-mixed friendships in that mixed pairs met and played mostly at home, whereas non- mixed pairs met and played at school. Factors contributing to the development and formation of friendship in each group are discussed.
ISSN:1362-3613
1461-7005
DOI:10.1177/1362361303007001007