Children with autism can be introverts and least interactive if left unnoticed. Also, there is a misconception that kids with autism cannot make friends because of their anti-social traits. However, the children with autism wish to make friends, but they are unable to do so.
Most of the time, they struggle with keeping eye contact or understand social interaction. Therefore, there are certain Social skills training programs that would be quite helpful for your autistic child.
How are social skills affected by autism?
In most cases, children with autism lack to have the basic social skills. Moreover, they may also find it quite difficult to make eye contact, respond properly to any conversation.
Basic social skills are extremely important tools for a person to make friends and socialize. However, teaching some basic skills to a child with autism can be quite challenging sometimes. It mainly occurs because of the symptom disorder called ASD.
Following are the symptoms of a child who lacks social skills:
· Fail to correlate with the feeling of the others
· Unable to understand jokes, sarcasm, etc.
· Not able to carry a conversation
· Tend to repeat the words and the phrases.
· Delay in the speech development
After we consider these symptoms, it is understandable that a child with autism can seriously have difficulty interacting with others.
What are the social skills which a child with autism requires?
Autistic children need a similar level of social skills as any neurotypical peers. Social skills training for autism is highly important for a child to enhance confidence, create friendships, and get along well with people.
Research says that too much alone time for a child is not healthy. It is important to look at how much time your child is spending with friends and alone.
Also, a child with autism must know how to:
· Play with others
· Talk with others
· Maintain the emotions
· Solve various problems
When these basic skills are known, it becomes so easy to improve the child’s skills.
What can be the various social skills therapy for autism?
If you wish to teach your child autism social skills, parents can take the help of social skills therapists. Autism Skills Development is a unique company working hard to meet the individuals and cope with the needs of autistic children or any other developmental disabilities.
Nowadays, parents are getting much aware of the new social programs which can help an autistic child to develop social interactions. The training teaches the child with autism to play, talk, share, and work with other kids.
But unfortunately, few sessions are also carried out in a group to encourage the children to apply whatever they have learned.
Let’s check out the various strategies involved in teaching and developing social skills:
The social training programs and various therapies by the expert can improve the social skills of children with autism. A few of the strategies are mentioned below:
Role-play
Role-play can help build the confidence of the child and also enhance his self-esteem. In addition, it helps the child to be more interactive and confident.
Initiate fun games with the child
Before a child is sent out to play with any of his other friends, it is always a good idea to practice playing with a parent or sibling. During the social training, the experts analyze the child’s behavior throughout the game.
Watch videos or observe others
If a child is anxious about any social activity, it is always helpful to watch videos and movies. It can also help the child recognize basic courtesy skills.
Conclusion
Hence the autistic children can be made to develop their social skills and build their self-esteem by taking the help of trained experts. Such training leaves a great impact on a child’s mind.
Also, the therapists make sure to analyze the kid’s behavior and train the child in that way. Is your child autistic and lacks social skills? Then, along with your help, the professional expert will help build up your child’s confidence and social skills.
