Why do children with autism have difficulty developing appropriate peer relationships?
Many children with autism have difficulty interacting with others. Some believe that this difficulty results from the unpredictable nature of social interactions. That is, the child with autism may be unable to predict what another child is going to do or say, and therefore, remains aloof and separate from others. Another possible reason for having difficulty establishing relationships with peers might involve the inability to interpret non-verbal messages and body language at a neurological level. That is, the child with autism might not recognize when a peer wants to play or when a peer wants to engage in a conversation. Often, the child with autism is unable to demonstrate social and emotional reciprocity. That is, they may not have learned the skills to take turns or share in a game. They may not possess the ability to engage in an appropriate conversation that involves initiating, responding, waiting to speak, and terminating the conversation appropriately. This does not mean that
