Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Teaching social skills to autistic teenagers

People with autism and Asperger's syndrome often have problems forming relationships and getting on with other people. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a 12-week class - called PEERS - which aims to boost the social skills of teenagers with milder forms of autism and Asperger's. The programme is made up of 12 weekly classes where teenagers are taught how to pick the right peer group, join in conversations, be a good 'host' for get togethers and handle teasing or arguments. A trial of the programme on 33 12-17-year-olds led to parents reporting improvements in their children's social skills and the teenagers having more interaction with their friends outside school.

You can find out more about this research at

http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE53Q3NO20090427?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

3 comments:

Maddy said...

In such a case if the teenagers run towards some kind of drugs, they should be given some holistic drug rehab. Then only the bigger dangers of psychological problmes be avreted.

david fox said...

Not only drugs but they develop some warts as well, many times as per an unconfirmed research. I suggest once should take best care during making physical relationships and may think of some remedies like Warticon, which may be used to avoid such types of diseases.

Rosy Rooks said...

Thanks for letting us know that the programme is made up of 12 weekly classes where teenagers are taught how to pick the right peer group! Eating Disorder Treatment