Abstract
This study examined children's ratings of attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented with or without autistic behaviors. The impact of information about autism on these ratings was investigated as well as age and gender effects. Third- and sixth-grade children (N = 233) were randomly assigned to view a video of the same boy in one of three conditions: No Autism, Autism, or Autism/Information. Children at both grade levels showed less positive attitudes toward the child in the two autism conditions. In rating their own behavioral intentions, children showed no differences between conditions. However, in attributing intentions to their classmates, older children and girls gave lower ratings to the child in the autism conditions. Information about autism did not affect ratings of either attitudes or behavioral intentions as ascribed to self or others.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Aiello, K. (1977). The Kids on the Block program on autism. Columbia, MD: The Kids on the Block.
Bell, S. K., & Morgan, S. B. (2000). Children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese: Does a medical explanation for the obesity make a difference? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 25, 137-145.
Edwards, A. L. (1957). The social desirability variable in personality assessment and research. New York: Dryden.
Friedrich, S., Morgan, S. B., & Devine, C. (1996). Children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer with Torette's syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 21, 307-319.
Gottlieb, J., & Gottlieb, B. W. (1977). Stereotypic attitudes and behavioral intentions toward handicapped children. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 82, 65-71.
Gray, D. E. (1993). Perceptions of stigma: The parents of autistic children. Sociology of Health and Illness, 15, 103-120.
Heekin, S., & Mangel, P. (Eds.). (1983). New friends: Mainstreaming activities to help young children understand and accept individual differences. Chapel Hill, NC: Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project.
Kasari, C., Freeman, S. F. N., Bauminger, N., & Alkin, M. C. (1999). Parental perspectives on inclusion: Effects of autism and Down syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 297-305.
Mesibov, G., & Shea, V. (1996). Full inclusion and students with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 337-346.
Morgan, S. B., Bieberich, A., Walker, M., & Schwerdtfeger, H. (1998). Children's willingness to participate in activities with a handicapped peer: Am I more willing than my classmates? Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 23, 367-375.
Morgan, S. B., Walker, M., & Bieberich, A., & Bell, S. (1996). The Shared Activity Questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.
Morgan, S. B., & Wisely, D. W. (1996). Children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as physically handicapped: A more positive view. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 8, 29-42.
Nabors, L. (1997). Playmate preferences of children who are typically developing for classmates with special needs. Mental Retardation, 35, 107-113.
Potter, P. C., & Roberts, M. C. (1984). Children's perceptions of chronic illness: The roles of disease symptoms, cognitive development, and information. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 9, 13-27.
Roeyers, H. (1996). The influence of nonhandicapped peers on the social interactions of children with a pervasive developmental disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 26, 303-320.
Ryan, K. M. (1981). Developmental differences in reactions to the physically disabled. Human Development, 24, 240-256.
Sigelman, C. K. (1991). The effect of causal information on peer perceptions of children with physical problems. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 12, 237-253.
Siperstein, G. N. (1980). Development of the Adjective Checklist: An instrument for measuring children's attitudes toward the handicapped. Unpublished manuscript, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Siperstein, G. N., & Bak, J. (1977). Instruments to measure children's attitudes toward the handicapped: Adjective Checklist and Activity Preference List. Unpublished manuscript, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Siperstein, G. N., & Bak, J. (1980). Improving children's attitudes toward blind peers. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 132-135.
Siperstein, G. N., Bak, J. J., & Gottlieb, J. (1977). Effects of group discussion on children's attitudes toward handicapped peers. Journal of Educational Research, 70, 131-134.
Stoneman, Z. (1993). Attitudes toward young children with disabilities: Cognition, affect, and behavioral intent. In C. Peck, S. Odom, & D. Bricker (Eds.), Integrating young children with disabilities in community programs: From research to implementation. Baltimore: Paul Brookes.
Weiner, B., & Graham, S. (1984). An attributional approach to emotional development. In C. E. Izard, J. Kagan, & R. B. Zajonc (Eds.), Emotions, cognitions, and behavior (pp. 167-191). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Voeltz, I. M. (1980). Children's attitudes toward handicapped peers. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 84, 455-464.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swaim, K.F., Morgan, S.B. Children's Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward a Peer with Autistic Behaviors: Does a Brief Educational Intervention Have an Effect?. J Autism Dev Disord 31, 195–205 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010703316365
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010703316365