Social Inclusion in the Primary School Years

This chapter provides an overview of the research relating to social relationships in children with autism. Understanding what children with autism understand by, or desire, in terms of friendships is an important starting point. Many children with autism report difficulty making and maintaining social relationships, and we consider factors that predict social outcomes, as well as the consequences of experiencing social exclusion. Finally, there will be discussion about interventions that have a focus on building social relationships. In particular, school-based, peer-mediated strategies appear to hold the most promise.