PMID 20858470

Parent Assisted Group Treatment for Friendship Problems of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Frankel F., Whitham C. Mar 2011

Background

Introduction

Fred Frankel’s research article “Parent-assisted group treatment for friendship problems of children with autism spectrum disorders” focuses on effective social etiquette skills treatment which engages the parent in an active treatment role. Children with autism spectrum disorders who are placed in regular education classrooms report poorer quality of friendships.

Methods

Parent outpatient treatment consists of parent-organized play dates, promoting friendship at school and at home, and an easy transition to community treatment settings. Intervention topics range from teaching the individual about social group rules to dealing with bullies at school.

Results

Conclusion

Discussion

Frankel’s article shows that Children Friendship Training with Parent-mediated intervention is a promising solution in helping children with autism spectrum disorders with peer acceptance and loneliness issues. One limitation of the study is that aggression and withdrawal did not significantly change in the school setting.