What Are Social Skills?

These are the skills we use to interact with others around us. A person with good social skills will have a good understanding of how to behave in social situations, have a good grasp of verbal and non-verbal communication as well as the written and implied rules of effective communication and social behaviour.

Why Social Skills Are Important.

To develop and maintain meaningful relationships, we must communicate effectively with those around us. This doesn’t just apply to personal relationships; it is a necessary part of all relationships, including those with colleagues, clients, etc. When we can’t communicate effectively, it can cause significant barriers in our lives. This is especially difficult for children who need social interaction to develop and grow. 

Social Skills And ASD.

There is a common misconception that children with autism lack an interest in social interactions. This is often not the case. Kids diagnosed with ASD might desire social involvement but have difficulties developing and understanding these necessary social skills. This lack of know-how could lead to social anxiety in some children, which in turn will cause them to retreat even more from social situations.

Children with social skill deficits might have a hard time with:

• Making new friends.
• Initiating interactions.
• Responding to initiations made by others.
• Picking up on social cues.
• Maintaining eye contact.
• Reading non-verbal cues, facial expressions and body language.
• Understanding jokes and figurative speech.
• Understanding the perspectives of others.

The root of this social impairment can differ from child to child; it can be caused by inherent neurological impairments, lack of opportunity to acquire skills, etc. These impairments can make it difficult for these children to develop and maintain relationships with others.

Benefits of Social Skills for Children With ASD.

Developing strong social skills can have many advantages for all children, especially those with ASD. If these skills are never acquired, it might negatively impact an autistic child in the long run. When they never develop the necessary skills to interact with others, they might find it challenging to acquire new relationships, cope at school or the workplace and gain new skills even into adulthood.

Social development will allow an autistic child to:

• Be able to communicate their needs, wants and concerns more effectively.
• Have better peer relationships.
• Master effective conflict resolution skills when facing disagreements.
• Have the ability to form more connections with others.
• Navigate tricky situations easily.
• Be better prepared for future career opportunities.
• Feel happier and more accepted.
• Learn from others and develop new skills.
• Accomplish tasks and collaborate with others towards a common goal.

How Can Social Skills Be Improved?

There are several ways to help your child improve their social skills. Some of the best ways to help your child are:

• Encourage them to play and play with them to help them develop their joint attention, good manners, cooperation, and appropriate play using toys.
• Discuss emotions with your child and help them develop a way to express their emotions and recognize emotions in their peers appropriately.
• Tell them social stories to teach them about specific social skills and the social contexts in which they occur. Describe a situation and suggest an appropriate social response.
• Join a social skills group, where your child will get the necessary resources to learn how to master social competence and interactions with others.

If your child is facing noticeable impairments in their social and communication skills, it is recommended that you consult with professionals and therapists to tackle the areas of concern.  Therapeutic interventions can be very helpful in helping your child develop the necessary soft skills needed to engage with others, build friendships and prepare them for their future.