Peer Support and Resilience for Young Children with Medical Conditions or Neurodiversity
摘要
This chapter examines how peer support contributes to resilience, inclusion, and social development for young children with medical conditions or neurodiversity. Peer-mediated interventions, such as buddy systems, effectively build prosocial behaviors, foster friendships, and promote environments where children with and without disabilities can thrive. Peers, typically children with strong social skills and consistent attendance, act as partners and role models, creating natural opportunities for communication, play, and social learning. The chapter emphasizes that peer support benefits both children with medical conditions or neurodiversity and the peer supporters themselves, increasing empathy, reducing stigma, and boosting sensitivity to diversity. It discusses summer camps and peer-based activities as important contexts for social connection and self-confidence. The chapter also identifies a research gap, as most studies target adolescents rather than younger children. Overall, it argues that well-designed peer support can enhance quality of life and inclusion for children with diverse needs, but further research on early interventions is needed.