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An Examination of the Social Relationships of High School Students with Autism in General Education Settings Using Peer Nomination Methods

School Mental Health volume 12, pages 88–98 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Despite considerable research on school social experiences among younger children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about the classroom social relationships of high school students with ASD without intellectual disability. Additional research in this area is necessary to refine and develop social skills interventions and outcome measures of social success for this age group. The current study compared peer nomination variables between 10 high school students with ASD and randomly selected gender-matched samples of their general education classmates at three time points over two academic years. All students attended schools in the Southwestern USA. Across all three time points, students with ASD were less accepted by their peers compared to their general education classmates. Among participants with ASD, social difficulties appeared to be most pervasive at the third time point. Findings suggest that some of the difficulties associated with establishing peer relationships documented among children and young adolescents with ASD are also present during high school. Feasibility of peer nomination methods in high school settings is discussed. Findings have implications for researchers, school psychologists, educators, and stakeholders, including individuals with ASD and their parents.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the families who participated in this study, the teachers and staff at the schools and school districts in which data were collected, and the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center staff and research assistants who contributed to participant intake assessments, data collection, and data entry. This study was funded by the 2014 Organization for Autism Research Applied Research Grant.

Funding

This study was funded by the 2014 Organization for Autism Research Applied Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, 300 N 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA

    Nicole L. Matthews, Beatriz C. Orr, Katrina Warriner, Mary DeCarlo, Jessica Kogan & Christopher J. Smith

  2. Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA

    Erin Rotheram-Fuller

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  1. Nicole L. Matthews
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  2. Erin Rotheram-Fuller
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  3. Beatriz C. Orr
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  7. Christopher J. Smith
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Correspondence to Nicole L. Matthews.

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Matthews, N.L., Rotheram-Fuller, E., Orr, B.C. et al. An Examination of the Social Relationships of High School Students with Autism in General Education Settings Using Peer Nomination Methods. School Mental Health 12, 88–98 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-019-09330-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-019-09330-4

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • High school students
  • Adolescents
  • Peer relationships
  • Sociometric status
  • Social network clustering