Understanding Social Challenges
Children with autism may face unique challenges in social situations, including difficulty reading social cues, understanding nonverbal communication, and navigating complex social interactions.
Key Insight
Every child with autism has unique strengths and challenges. Social skills development should be individualized and built upon each child's interests and abilities.
Building Foundation Skills
Eye Contact and Joint Attention
Practice looking at faces during preferred activities
Use motivating materials to encourage shared focus
Gradually increase expectations for eye contact
Turn-Taking and Sharing
Start with structured turn-taking in games
Use visual supports to show whose turn it is
Practice with highly preferred items
Structured Social Opportunities
Creating structured social experiences helps children practice skills in a supportive environment:
Small Playgroups
Organize activities with understanding peers
Social Stories
Prepare for interactions with visual narratives
Role-Playing
Practice common social scenarios safely
Conversation Scripts
Provide greeting and conversation starters
Supporting Friendships
Meaningful friendships require ongoing support and facilitation:
Finding Compatible Peers
Help identify potential friends with shared interests
Facilitate structured activities that promote interaction
Maintaining Relationships
Teach conflict resolution skills
Celebrate social successes
Ready to Support Social Growth?
Our team specializes in helping children with autism develop meaningful social connections and build lasting friendships.
Schedule Social Skills Assessment →