Atypical social communication is associated with positive initial impressions among peers with autism spectrum disorder.

Atypical social communication is a key indicator of autism spectrum disorder and has long been presumed to interfere with friendship formation and first impressions among typically developing youth. However, emerging literature suggests that such atypicalities may function differently among groups of peers with autism spectrum disorder. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between atypical social communication patterns and first impression sociometric ratings by peers in groups of youth with autism spectrum disorder.