Primary school children rate children with autism negatively on looks, speech and speech content.

This study looked at how young children (ages 6-9) judge their autistic classmates when they first meet them. Researchers showed 146 school children videos of autistic and non-autistic children, and asked them to rate what they saw. The autistic children were rated more negatively on their appearance, how they spoke, and what they said. This suggests that autistic children may face negative judgments from peers right from the beginning of their school experience.

This 2023 study examined how primary school children (ages 6-9) form first impressions of their autistic peers. Researchers had 146 school children rate videos of 14 actors (7 autistic, 7 typically developing) across three conditions: silent videos, speech only, and transcribed speech content. Results showed that autistic actors were consistently rated more negatively than typically developing actors across all three stimulus types. Notably, unlike previous research with older participants, primary school children judged both the content and delivery of speech equally negatively.

These findings suggest that negative social judgments of autistic children begin early in formal education, potentially impacting peer relationships and social inclusion from the start of schooling.

Results highlight the need for early peer education and social inclusion programs in primary schools. Interventions should target both verbal and non-verbal aspects of social interaction. Early identification of social challenges may help implement supports before negative peer attitudes become entrenched.

Limited sample details provided in abstract. Study design and methodology not fully described. Unclear if actors were diagnosed or how autism presentation varied. No information on inter-rater reliability or statistical significance of findings.

Adults and adolescents form negative first impressions of ASD adults and children. We examined the first impression ratings of primary school children (6-9 years) of their ASD peers. 146 school children rated either silent videos, speech or transcribe speech from 14 actors (7 ASD, 7 TD). The ASD actors were rated more negatively than the typically developing actors on all three stimulus types. Children with ASD are likely to be judged more negatively than their peers at the very start of their formal education.

Contrary to previous research, for primary school children, the content of the speech was judged as negatively as the delivery of the speech.