Many children with autism and adults require assistance from their families and special education teachers in learning how to behave in many types of social interactions. They frequently want to interact with others, but may not know how to engage friends or may be intimidated by the prospect of new experiences.
Building social skills through practice, especially as they go to school in Florida, can improve community participation and support outcomes such as happiness and friendships.
Our learning academy in Longwood, Florida, Inspire Learning Academy, would like to share some advice and information from experts, teachers, and families, as well as helpful resources, to help you become more involved in your community.
The norms, customs, and abilities that govern our relationships with other people and the world around us are referred to as social skills. People generally “take up” social skills in the same manner that they learn linguistic skills: effortlessly and quickly. They gradually develop a social “map” of how to act in various settings and with others.
It can be more difficult for persons with autism to learn and develop these skills, leading them to guess what the social “map” should look like.
Autism social skill development includes the following activities:
- Instruction from positive behavior therapy that is direct or explicit, as well as “teachable situations” with practice in realistic settings.
- Pay close attention to timing and attention span.
- Help with improving communication and sensory integration.
- Predictive behaviors for crucial social outcomes such as friendship and happiness.
- A method for improving cognitive and language abilities.
If a loved one requires special education assistance to help them build social competency, please get in touch with us at 321-972-2590.
