ERIC Number: EJ814505
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0827-3383
EISSN: N/A
Evaluating the Social Behavior of Preschool Children with Autism in an Inclusive Playground Setting
Gutierrez, Anibal, Jr.; Hale, Melissa N.; Gossens-Archuleta, Krista; Sobrino-Sanchez, Victoria
International Journal of Special Education, v22 n3 p26-30 2007
Including children with autism alongside typically developing peers is commonly done in school settings to provide social opportunities and social experiences. However, there is limited research describing the naturally occurring interactions between children with autism and their peers as a result of such placements. We examined the naturally occurring social interactions of 3 students with autism when placed in a playground setting with typically developing peers. Results show that participants rarely engaged in social behavior with peers during inclusive experiences and adult staff rarely facilitated social interactions between children with autism and typically developing peers. This study provides additional evidence that mere exposure to typically developing children is not the mechanism by which students with autism gain meaningful social experiences. Creating inclusive experiences that result in social interactions likely require additional, systematic interventions designed to facilitate those interactions. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Social Behavior, Autism, Preschool Children, Peer Relationship, Playgrounds, Student Behavior, Nonverbal Communication, Verbal Communication, Mainstreaming, Inclusive Schools, Interaction, Interpersonal Competence, Intervention, Play, Teacher Role
International Journal of Special Education. 2889 Highbury Street, Vancouver, BC V6R 3T7, Canada. Web site: http://www.internationaljournalofspecialeducation.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

Peer reviewed
