Asperger Help

Autism and Asperger Syndrome: strategies to promote prosocial behaviours

CAROL GREENWAY
Psychological Service, City of Westminster, 2nd NW8 8EA, UK

SUMMARY The social deficits of children on the autistic spextrum represent a major barrier to their successful inclusion into mainstream schools. This presents a significant challenge for educational psychologists (EPs). This paper surveys the literature for social skil ls screening instruments and interventions, which have the greatest relevance to the work of the EP in supporting inclusion in the mainstream setting. Although not specifically designed for pupils on the autistic continuum, several screening instruments are identified that not only provide a description of the problem area and an understanding of the pupil ’s behaviour, but also provide pointers for interventions. Those found in the research literature that have been particularly successful in mainstream are the Social Stories and Circle of Friends approaches. Other interventions are also described that have potential for pupils on the autistic spectrum who are being considered for integration.

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