Teachers' peer buddy selections for children with autism: social characteristics and relationship with peer nominations

Implementation of a Peer-Mediated Intervention to Teach Behavioral Expectations for Two Students on Autism Spectrum and a Student with ADHD in an Inclusive Elementary Classroom in Taiwan

One of the characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum is the restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities which have been considered the result of a direct deficit in self-regulation skills. Peer-mediated intervention (PMI) is one of the ways to support young children on the autism spectrum for following school routines independently. PMI is an evidence-based practice based on behavioral principles to train typical peers to help with students on the autism spectrum. By using PMI, students on the autism spectrum can have more interaction opportunities with typical peers. Students on the autism spectrum can become less dependent on adult support to complete the expectations independently or with peers' support. The aim of this study is to use PMI to support students with autism and ADHD aged 7-8 in a regular classroom to complete the behavioral expectations in Taiwan. This study used a multiple probe design across three participants to determine the effects of the intervention. The researchers trained seven typically developing peers on how to prompt and reinforce the target children. This study took both peers and target children's data. The data shows a positive result for target children to follow the expectations independently and most peer models can prompt and reinforce the target children after being trained. Our study has extended the effectiveness and usage of PMI in teaching behavioral expectations in Taiwan.

Voluntary Vs Nominated Peer Educators: a Randomized Trial within the NoTrap! Anti-Bullying Program

There is a debate in scientific literature about the effectiveness of a peer-led approach to anti-bullying interventions. In order to understand which circumstances and for whom these approaches work best, the present study was carried out within the NoTrap! anti-bullying program. Using a cluster design, classes were randomly assigned into two different peer educator recruitment strategies: volunteering (N = 500; 48% females; mean age = 13.5 years, ds = 1.3) vs peer nominated (N = 466; 38% females; mean age = 13.9 years, ds = 1.3). Results showed that voluntary peer educators suffered a higher level of victimization, while the nominated ones tended to be more popular and likable. Furthermore, a set of linear mixed-effect models showed that the program was effective in reducing bullying and victimization, and in increasing defending behaviour only in the voluntary recruitment condition. On the contrary, in classrooms under the peer nominated recruitment condition, bullying and victimization remained stable, and defending behaviour increased only for peer educators, but not for their classmates. This implies that the step of peer selection and recruitment must be kept into consideration in developing and validating an intervention, because of its possible impact on the effectiveness of the whole intervention.

Understanding Friendship Sex Heterophily and Relational Characteristics to Optimize the Selection of Peer Models for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study used social network analysis to evaluate whether sex heterophily, the degree to which peers are different in sex, between 126 children with autism (ages 5-12 years) and their peers affected social network connectivity. Results indicate that: (1) the quantity and sex of friends were more important in predicting social network connectivity than the relational characteristics of the friends (friendship nominations and social network salience/popularity); and (2) sex heterophily is an important factor in predicting social network connectivity. For males with autism, having friends of the same sex was associated with better social network connectivity; this was not true for females with autism. These findings have important implications for the selection of peer models for elementary-aged children with autism.

Exploring the social impact of being a typical peer model for included children with autism spectrum disorder

This study examined the social impact of being a typical peer model as part of a social skills intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were drawn from a randomized-controlled-treatment trial that examined the effects of targeted interventions on the social networks of 60 elementary-aged children with ASD. Results demonstrated that typical peer models had higher social network centrality, received friendships, friendship quality, and less loneliness than non-peer models. Peer models were also more likely to be connected with children with ASD than non-peer models at baseline and exit. These results suggest that typical peers can be socially connected to children with ASD, as well as other classmates, and maintain a strong and positive role within the classroom.

Brief report: sociometric status and behavioral characteristics of peer nominated buddies for a child with autism

We examined social and behavioral correlates of children selected by their peers to serve as peer buddies for an unfamiliar child with autism (CWA). Participants were 293 children from two public elementary schools who completed social status, behavioral, and peer buddy nomination measures. Peer buddy nominations for a CWA were related to: (a) perceived unpopularity; (b) being viewed as helpful and smart; and (c) lacking influence regarding popularity within the classroom. In contrast, peer buddy nominations for a typical boy were related to being viewed as popular, helpful, and self-confident. Students may select a social niche for CWA based on principles of peer homophily. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.