title: The Friendship Club: an after-school program for children with Asperger syndrome.
abstract: The Friendship Club is a program designed and implemented by occupational therapy students and faculty to help teach children, ages 8-15, activities related to friendship and skills necessary to maintain friends. The program, a joint effort between university partners, a local parent support group, and a local Rotary Club that provided funding, was deemed successful by participants, parents, and leaders. This article reviews the interdisciplinary development of the club, the program, and its outcomes. Recommendations for the group's continuation are supported by feedback obtained from participants and their parents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, 306 Belk Building, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Linnley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meckes
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swensen
authors.forename: Peggy Prince
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Wittman
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Velde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012932:Social Facilitation; D015144:Southeastern United States