Social Interaction in People with Autism
Abstract
People with Autism tend to face difficulties in social interaction. This study examined the possibility that the cause of these social difficulties is heightened anxiety in response to social situations. First year psychology students were asked to complete three surveys online, in order to test their anxiety levels, as well as the extent to which they demonstrate autistic-like traits. The results indicated a link between anxiety and autistic-like traits in the general population. Due to the fact that this study was based on the general population, further research using participants who have autism would be beneficial to ensure the validity of this link. If this link was reinforced in future studies, it could potentially have significant implications for the treatment of Autism. By developing ways to reduce anxiety, clinicians may be able to make patients more comfortable in social situations and improve their quality of life.
Social Interaction in People With Autism: The Link Between Anxiety and Social Communication Deficits
Individuals with Autism exhibit “abnormalities in social and communication development, in the presence of marked repetitive behavior and limited imagination” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). One of the most prominent issues for people with Autism is their tendency to experience difficulties in social interaction. They tend to lack conversational skills, find it difficult participate in social events and are often seen to behave in a generally strange manor (Kanne, Christ, & Reiersen, 2009). The reason for this lack of social interaction is unclear. It is possible that people with Autism are simply not interested in social interaction, however it is more plausible that this lack of social interaction is due to heightened anxiety in social situations.
Research has identified that those with significant Autistic-like traits are more prone to loneliness. Loneliness implies that these individuals are not
People with Autism tend to face difficulties in social interaction. This study examined the possibility that the cause of these social difficulties is heightened anxiety in response to social situations. First year psychology students were asked to complete three surveys online, in order to test their anxiety levels, as well as the extent to which they demonstrate autistic-like traits. The results indicated a link between anxiety and autistic-like traits in the general population. Due to the fact that this study was based on the general population, further research using participants who have autism would be beneficial to ensure the validity of this link. If this link was reinforced in future studies, it could potentially have significant implications for the treatment of Autism. By developing ways to reduce anxiety, clinicians may be able to make patients more comfortable in social situations and improve their quality of life.
Social Interaction in People With Autism: The Link Between Anxiety and Social Communication Deficits
Individuals with Autism exhibit “abnormalities in social and communication development, in the presence of marked repetitive behavior and limited imagination” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). One of the most prominent issues for people with Autism is their tendency to experience difficulties in social interaction. They tend to lack conversational skills, find it difficult participate in social events and are often seen to behave in a generally strange manor (Kanne, Christ, & Reiersen, 2009). The reason for this lack of social interaction is unclear. It is possible that people with Autism are simply not interested in social interaction, however it is more plausible that this lack of social interaction is due to heightened anxiety in social situations.
Research has identified that those with significant Autistic-like traits are more prone to loneliness. Loneliness implies that these individuals are not
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