Articles that focus on basic social interaction, guidance on ways to help people on the spectrum connect with other people (especially making friends), sharing interests, understanding social cues, reactions, nonverbal cues, other people’s feelings, body language, facial expressions.
When I was younger, just a child, I used to spend a lot of time in front of the TV. When I became a teenager and discovered the magic of the movies and films, I would try to watch them as much as possible. I didn’t think about this until recently, but watching TV and […]
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The playground represents a time for having fun where children laugh, play, run around, and form friendships. However, for a child with autism the playground is like being lost in a foreign country without knowing the language. The playground is chaotic, unpredictable, loud, and over-stimulating. We often see children with autism walking the perimeter of […]
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Cats are lovable and cute, but what most people don’t know is that these furry animals can help children with autism improve their social skills. Cats bond with the children by providing affection and attention which promotes healthy relationships. Parents with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might not want to get their child […]
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The word “playdate” is a dreaded word for many autism families. I know numerous families that will avoid playdates for several reasons. Many parents think their child cannot participate in them because they lack the play, social, and verbal skills to be successful. Some parents will not schedule playdates because they are not themselves social. […]
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Children with autism spectrum disorder can sometimes find communication and social interaction difficult, and parents can feel shut out. But caregivers can make a big difference in opening the door to communication—and part of it might boil down to meat and potatoes. Why are we bringing dinner into the discussion? Keep reading! Changing the way […]
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Most parents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children want them to have effective social coaching in school to supplement what’s done at home. School Individualized Education Programs (IEP) usually include groups using social learning curriculum. How do we assess whether the child is learning effective skills? Are there any possible negative effects of social skills instruction, or […]
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What Are Social Skills? Social skills refer to a child’s ability to communicate with others in a way that is acceptable and appropriate. When a child has social skills, he/she can form friendships and can carry a simple conversation. Social Skills and Autism It’s a common misconception that children with autism do not make friends […]
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Video games, social media, and technology are becoming an increasingly large part of our children’s lives. Digital play is now the most common type of play engaged in by younger children. Recent studies suggest that kids under the age of eight spend about 2.5 hours per day with screen media. For kids five and under, […]
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Social skills can be broadly defined as the ability to develop and maintain relationships. Deficits in social skills are a core feature for children, as well as adults with autism. For school-age children with high-functioning autism, limitations in social skills adversely impact conversation skills, peer acceptance, and self-perception. Quick Navigation Comic Strip Conversations Social Narratives […]
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Is saying hello or waving “hi” hard for your child to do? Does your child ask you questions about something you shared with him/her? Will your child ask another child to play? These may be some of the challenges your child with autism faces every day, and they impact the ability to make friends. Thankfully, […]
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Friendships have an important role to play in our overall well-being and quality of life. Unfortunately, many children with autism do not establish friendships and continue to have difficulties doing so once they get into their teen years. A recent study in the Journal of Autism, reported that teenagers and adults who have a diagnosis […]
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Kids with autism usually struggle socially and often find the teen years especially difficult. Anxiety and depression can emerge or worsen, along with a sense of helplessness, worthlessness and loneliness. Mental health professionals often refer these teens to social skills groups. These groups teach lessons about how to “appropriately” interact in a neurotypical (NT) world. […]
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Dating can be filled with stress and insecurity, but what happens when you add to this the fact that your date has Asperger’s syndrome? What should you do and what should you not do? How can you make things work? Here are 10 points to keep in mind when falling in love with one of […]
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Living with Asperger’s syndrome has turned out to be a literal roller coaster in more than one sense. For starters, you don’t always know how to deal with intense feelings, with different situations that are out of your routine, and, this is the best part, you have to discover the best way to process it […]
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For women with Asperger’s, the workplace can be a very isolated place. Organizations are social environments, which is uniquely challenging for Aspie Women. In the workplace, women tend to form cliques, social groups, and tribes that neurotypical women are more naturally enabled to understand and navigate. In organizations that I have observed, there is a […]
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My 8-year-old son with autism loves his little brother and wants to play with him, but he has difficulty sharing, is overly-affectionate, and his screaming is so off-putting. How can I encourage their relationship as siblings? – Priya Hi Priya, I love that you want to help foster the brotherly bond between your boys! It […]
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My name is Leanne — I’m 23 years old and I have Asperger’s syndrome. I have heard that social stories help lot of kids (and maybe even adults) on the autism spectrum to be better able to handle transitions, upcoming events, and activities that most children (and adults) are able to handle easily. I remember during one […]
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Many parents of children with autism enjoy the various advantages that homeschooling affords, especially in the social arena. It provides a fluid opportunity for practical socialization at quantities dictated by individual need and quality as defined by your family’s values. It takes place in the real world so it is difficult to replicate in other […]
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Having good manners is an important social skill everyone needs. Most of us know that it’s not acceptable to push someone out of the way to get what we want, to cut in front of a line, to talk loudly on a cell phone during a movie, to talk with our mouths full, or to […]
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The relevance of social skills among autistic people cannot be overemphasized as it has enabled them to interact and be independent in society. It is crystal clear that contemporary society has failed to provide enough support for people with learning disability as most societal structures assume that everyone in the society is able, and in […]
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When you first hear that a computer game or a video game is trying to teach someone about the social or emotional world, you can’t be blamed if your first thought is, “Are you kidding?” If you want to learn how to shoot a lot of monsters or jump over an onslaught of obstacles, sure, […]
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I am a single dad raising my autistic daughter. Can you give me any advice on educating her and helping her navigate puberty and her menstrual cycle? I’m lost! —Tony Hey Tony, I first want to applaud you for understanding the importance of helping guide your daughter through this transition into womanhood! All girls need […]
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Rick walks into his classroom, and he is angry. He throws his backpack across the classroom while yelling that he is going to “mess up” Jeremy because Jeremy played his music too loudly on the bus. His classmates look at him with fear in their eyes, and Twyla asks her teacher if Rick is going […]
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Welcome back to Social Skills Corner. For the July issue, we are going to describe ways you can help your child manage crowded events in general and July 4th celebrations, specifically. We will begin with an example of what can occur if you and your family try to attend large events without adequate preparation. Mary […]
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Social skills are especially difficult for teens on the autism spectrum, but many of these skills can be learned, and with practice, can become habit. Social skills are critical in order to make friends, get a job, and to live a fulfilling life. Research from Harvard University says social skills are the top factor for […]
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Socializing forms a big part of our everyday lives. From exchanging polite conversation with strangers to cementing lasting relationships with our family and friends, the ability to talk and engage with our peers is an incredibly useful skill to have. But for those with autism, being social doesn’t always come naturally. Children usually pick up […]
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Welcome to Social Skills Corner. We have been working with families for many years. Parents frequently express concerns about their children not having friends or not knowing how to interact with other people either individually or in groups. We want you to be able to help your child to make friends and improve social interactions […]
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Many studies have been conducted on the positive effect a pet can have on your health. A pet can be comforting if you are upset, they can lighten your mood as you play with them, and of course you have their companionship and unconditional love. Studies have also shown that pets can help improve social […]
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