Parent-assisted group treatment for friendship problems of children with autism spectrum disorders

Children with Asperger's Disorder or High Functioning Autism are included in regular education classes but find themselves excluded from the social lives of their classmates. This paper briefly reviews studies which attempt to provide them with training to overcome their social difficulties. These interventions have had limited success and have not systematically incorporated the child's parents into the intervention. Children's Friendship Training is a manualized parent-assisted group treatment which teaches social skill through learning and practicing sets of rules of etiquette for key social situations. The treatment approach has been demonstrated to have success in improving friendships of children with autism spectrum disorders. The content of Children's Friendship Training is briefly described and results of controlled studies are reviewed. Limitations of previous research and future directions are also described.

Research Highlights► Children with ASD are socially excluded from their mainstreamed classmates. ► Previous treatment attempts to help them make friends have had limited success. ► Children’s Friendship Training has parents monitor play dates. ► Frequency of play dates correlates with positive peer play ground interaction. ► A study has shown CFT increases play date frequency and improves social skills.