Examined loneliness and friendship among 22 high-functioning children with autism and 19 typically developing children equated for IQ, chronological age, gender, mother's education, and ethnic group. Found that children with autism were lonelier than typically developing children, had less complete understanding of loneliness, and had poorer quality friendships. Found fewer associations between loneliness and friendship for autistic than for non-autistic children. (Author/KB)