Social Skills for Autism
Boosting your child’s self-confidence
What Are Social Skills?
Social skills are the skills we use to communicate and interact with others. They include spoken words, body language, gestures, eye contact, body movement, and more.
Some common social skills include:
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Learning those skills helps us to better engage with family members, friends, and the community.
However, for some people on the autism spectrum, it can be hard to pick up on social cues. At AST, we use compassionate, contemporary ABA therapy to help your child build skills and confidence in social settings.
Evidence-Based Social Skills Programs
We use evidence-based methods to help children better understand social interactions. Our team of highly-trained board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and behavior technicians (BTs) breaks down specific skills and goals, ranging from taking turns to understanding tone of voice. Training is structured and simplified into specific actions that are easy to understand. We make goals measurable and attainable and can expand on skills as your child masters them. Each step will build and improve your child’s self-esteem.
Like other programs we cover, each treatment plan is unique. Social skills training looks different depending on the age of your child and their unique needs. Many social skills programs focus on teaching children how to:
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Our activities include games and role playing that can teach kids how to share toys, how to join others in playing, and how to take turns. These activities help kids learn to observe and practice common daily social interactions.
Learning to Navigate Social Situations
Navigating friendships is an important part of your child’s development. Our Social Skills Programs are designed to teach social skills that boost self-confidence.
Through small-group activities, your child also will learn to follow group instructions.
You can have peace of mind knowing we have a compassionate team of specialists working with your child to build their skills. We’ll start by assessing where they are and what goals can help them be successful. Then, we’ll focus on key skills that your child can practice.
Children with autism often need help learning to navigate different kinds of social situations. We’re here to make it less overwhelming. Over time, your child will learn the appropriate skills for various social situations.
Social Skills Programs Often Include:
Discussion, modeling, role play, and positive reinforcement |
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Art projects and other fun, structured indoor and outdoor activities |
The social skills your child learns through ABA can help them learn the customary behaviors they need for success in school and life. Our techniques are based on science and are time-tested, and we’ve helped thousands of families overcome challenges related to autism.
Many of our locations run daytime, after-school, and seasonal Social Skills Programs. To find a location who offers social skills near you, visit our location finder here.