ASD children frequently want to make friends but have difficulty picking up on social cues such as body language, hand gestures, figures of speech, and facial expressions.

 

As a result, they may be reluctant to form friendships and may withdraw from social situations.

 

Here are some suggestions to assist your child in making friends and developing social skills:

Teach Social Skills:

Making and keeping friends necessitates a wide range of abilities. If your child is learning to make friends, here is a list of some social skills to teach them:

• How to Start a Conversation
• Taking turns;
• Recognizing nonverbal behavior
• Recognizing personal space
• Knowing how to be adaptable

Participate in Social Skills Groups:

After-school social skills groups provide a safe environment for your child to practice socializing with peers.

Make use of visual aids.

Using pictures with thought or speech bubbles can help your child understand what those people are thinking in various scenarios.

Encourage Interests:

Encourage your child to pursue their interests, whether they are in art, music, or sports. This can help them find others who share their interests and form relationships.

Take things slowly

Make every step a positive one for your child, and don’t rush them. Keep an eye out for your child’s need to regulate and whether an interaction or setup is too much for them. Expect them to be exhausted and possibly grumpy afterward!

Know when to seek help.

If you are concerned that your child is having difficulty with their friendships, seek support.

 

Remember that not all ASD children are the same. That is why it is referred to as a spectrum. Encourage your child to get to know and understand someone with autism as an individual. My guess is that they’ll find their new friend amusing, interesting, and entertaining.

 

If you are worried about your child’s social skills, Nurture Pods could help develop the skills they need to connect with other kids.

 

Reach out to us to find out more about the support that is available for you and your child.

 

Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 17 April 2023