The acquisition of friendship skills for typical children is based on an innate and evolving ability to make and keep friends. Unfortunately, autistic children are not as able to rely on intuitive abilities in social settings and must rely more on their general cognitive abilities to process social information. They often have had peer interactions which are likely to have been confusing and, at times, aversive. They have difficulty reading the social rules and conventions and being able to follow them. They are often criticized or rejected by peers when engaged in social play. A lack of friendships can lead to low self-esteem and depression.

The webcast will focus on relevant research on friendship for autistic boys and girls during their primary school years, describe the stages of friendship during those years and strategies to improve friendship abilities, experiences, and confidence at school.