Autism PEERS

None — Autism

Autism is a type of developmental disorder characterized by problems in social interaction, communication and behavior. Even as infants, many children with autism lack an interest in social interaction. They may not make eye contact with a parent or caregiver and resist cuddling. As they grow older, they prefer to play alone and have difficulty participating in interactive or group play.

Some children with autism develop normal communication and language skills, then suddenly stop talking. Others have delayed onset of speech and language skills. In some cases, children repeat phrases over and over (echolalia) or combine nonsense words into sentences. A small percentage of children with autism never speak. They don't understand social cues or body language and often miss subtle, hidden meanings in conversations.

Behavioral problems are often a key sign of autism. Children prefer sameness and become very upset at even minor changes in routine. They may spend hours in odd types of play (like arranging toys in a straight line or in unusual categories). They may like to spin objects or flap their arms. Some children have preoccupations with odd subjects.

According to the organization, Autism Speaks, about one in every 110 children in the U.S. has autism. Prevalence of the condition is increasing by about 10 to 17 percent each year. Currently about 1.5 million people in the U.S. have a diagnosis of autism. The annual total cost of treatment, education, housing, care and support for people with autism may be nearly $90 billion.

The PEERS Program

During adolescence, children start to become more independent and peer relationships become very important. However, children with autism typically lack the social skills needed to form friendships and often become more isolated. Lack of friendship and behavioral differences may put them at risk for teasing, bullying and further isolation. Researchers report up to 46 percent of adolescents with autism are victims of bullying.

Experts at UCLA in Los Angeles have developed a program to help children with autism learn how to make friends. It's called "Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills," or PEERS. The PEERS group meets 90 minutes once a week for 14 weeks. During that time, the participants are given a lesson emphasizing concrete rules of social etiquette (like how to approach a group of peers and join their conversation), and given the opportunity to practice that new skill in class and during the week. Each week, the lessons expand to build on the newly learned social skills. The program teachers the children not only how to make new friends, but also, how to keep them. In addition, participants learn how to deal with conflict between friends and groups.

One of the unique features of PEERS is that parents are actively involved in the program. At the time of the child's session, parents meet with a coach in a different room. The coach teaches parents what the children are learning and how to help them practice and carry out the new skills. PEERS Program Director, Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D., says parent involvement is very important because once the program ends, the child will still need guidance and support to stay socially connected.

Laugeson says follow-up research on children who have gone through the PEER program shows the participants are move involved with friends, have better conversations and are more attuned to the social nuances of peer relationships in middle and high school.

Although the PEERS program was initiated at UCLA researchers have started training others and hope to expand access to more autistic children across the country. For more information, go to: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers.

Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister

AUDIENCE INQUIRY

For information about the PEERS program, go to: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers.

For general information about autism:

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, http://www.aacap.org.

Autism Society of America, http://www.autism-society.org.

Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html.

National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov .

WSOC