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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
08:31
Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome
Published on: July 31, 2016
Are peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome helpful?
Bernhard Weidle1, Britt Bolme, Anne Lise Hoeyland
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, St Olav's University Hospital, Elgeseter, Trondheim, Norway. b-weidle@online.no
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|November 8, 2006
Summary
Peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome are effective, with high satisfaction rates reported by both teens and their parents. These findings highlight the value of such programs for this population.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Limited research exists on peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome.
- Peer support can be a valuable intervention for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the structure and outcomes of three peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome.
- To assess the satisfaction levels of adolescents and their parents with these support groups.
Main Methods:
- Three parallel peer support groups for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome were established alongside parent support groups.
- Participant completion rates and a consumer satisfaction survey were used to evaluate the groups.
Main Results:
- The majority of adolescent participants completed the group program.
- A significant majority of adolescents (76.5%) and parents (95%) reported good to very good satisfaction with the groups.
- High satisfaction suggests perceived helpfulness of the peer support intervention.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with Asperger's syndrome and their parents find peer support groups to be a beneficial and satisfactory intervention.
- The findings support the implementation and expansion of peer support programs for this demographic.
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