Interest in Other Children
Video Summary
Children on the autism spectrum often show a disinterest in their peers, though they may seek out, respond to and engage with adults. In contrast to a shy or unsure child, children with autism will often not only fail to join or mimic the activities of their peers, but also often ignore them entirely, directing their attention towards objects or adults instead. Dr. Soorya illustrates how typically developing children seek out and interact with their peers in comparison to children on the autism spectrum.
"The social drive to be with peers...is a behavior seen in typically behaving young children from a young age. This is often absent or less frequent in young children with autism. "
— Latha Soorya, PhD