Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Contemporary educational practice is usually to “mainstream” children with special needs, with those students getting as much of their education as possible in regular classes.
It has proven effective in minimizing stigmas and equalizing educational opportunities. But it can be a high bar for teens with an autism spectrum disorder.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction. The level of impairment varies among individuals. Some teens may be severely impaired while others may be highly functional, more akin to Asperger’s syndrome.
But without the proper social skills, even mainstreamed, high-functioning teens don’t quite fit into the general social milieu of middle school or high school. Unfortunately, this may lead to ridicule and bullying, leading to a lowered self-esteem and self-worth.
Since 2006, however, the UCLA PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) clinic has assisted high-functioning teens with ASD by literally teaching them the strategies they need to fit in better with their peers.