Abstract

This study investigated the effects of four neurotypical preschoolers’ attitudes towards nine of their peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how that impacts their play behaviors. Participants were all male ranging from 3 years to 6 years of age. Children’s attitudes towards their peers with ASD were evaluated using three methods: sociometric peer ratings, child interviews and a social acceptance scale. Children with ASD’s behaviors were observed over a three-week period during free play to collaborate the results. Results from the sociometric peer ratings showed that a child with ASD received the highest rating from his peers. The interviews with the neurotypical peers did not demonstrate a clear awareness of a disability on the part of the children with ASD. The findings indicated that some of the lower functioning children with ASD were not nominated at all as being different and some of the neurotypical children were identified as having difficulty talking or behaving well. Consistent with the literature, this study found more instances of non-play behavior compared to play behavior in children with ASD. Taken altogether, the results showed that the neurotypical children’s awareness of their peers with ASD as being different did not seem to impact their play behaviors.