Playground helps autistic children socialize, research says

NASHVILLE (KABC) -- For most kids, playing on the playground is one of the best ways to learn how to interact with others. However, for the 1 in 68 kids with autism, playgrounds can cause stress. Autism can hinder a child's ability to socialize. New research is showing how we can change that.

These kids are going undercover in the name of science.

"We're trying to like play with the kids and have fun. Like it's a normal day," said Calvin Hawes, an 8-year-old researcher.

Blythe Corbett, a psychiatry professor at Vanderbilt University, is leading the study and looking at how children with autism spectrum disorder play and interact with typically developing kids.

"So we can better understand what things help them to interact, but also what things are getting in the way of being able to play with others," Corbett said.

To test this, researchers took saliva samples from kids with ASD, like Ben Solsvig, to measure the stress hormone cortisol.

"We wouldn't be able to tell from a lot of our kids, how stressed they really are when they are interacting with others," said Corbett.

Higher cortisol means Ben's less motivated to play with other kids.

"It depends on how fun they are. I wouldn't want to play with a kid if he's all boring," said Ben, who has autism.

Ben says he can be choosy in picking friends, but experts say anxiety is common in social situations and can often cause him to avoid situations.

Experts say use praise to shape positive social behavior, model correct social kids so kids on the spectrum can see how things should be done, and discuss what personal space is. And if you can encourage other children on the playground to make the first move, that can make all the difference.

"The good news is though, that all it takes is a simple invitation for a peer to invite them, to ask them to play, and that can significantly improve their willingness to engage with others," Corbett said.

Corbett said the study highlights the importance of bringing typically developing peers together with kids with autism spectrum disorder in all social settings. Kids with ASD are then able to learn that it's safe to interact with other children.