- Determine the root of the problem and identify where the problems exist.
- Provide opportunities to practice. Interactions with both peers and parents are going to be helpful.
- Stable and sustained relationships are the best place to practice.
- Remind and teach children how to have a positive and flexible attitude about play.
- Work on one social skill at a time
- Come up with a ‘signal system’
- Use a reward system
- Keep a running dialogue of social information
- Allow your child to engage in social activities in common with peers
- Don’t Scold or Reprimand When Your Child Tells You About Social Difficulties.
- Don’t Attempt to Teach Social Skills During Times of High Stress.
- Don’t Overuse Punishment, It’s Not as Powerful as Praise.
- Small social gatherings to help reduce the stimuli
- Be aware of and flexible in your expectations
- Practice and rehearse, anticipate the challenges
- Teach some canned responses
- Use the “T.V. teach” technique (turn down the volume and study the body language)
Developing Social Skills
What Parents Can Do To Help
|
How To Recognize Social Skills Problems
|
While social skills difficulties can take many forms, you may notice one of
the following in your child:
- Perceived feelings of loneliness
- Observation
- Feedback from teachers
- Not getting invited to parties
- Not requesting or being invited to play dates
- Reports of being bullied or being a bully
What Causes Social Skills Problems
|
Social Skills difficulties can be caused by many factors, some include:
- Shy temperament
- Lack of insight or self-reflection related to delayed social/emotional development
- Defense mechanisms – a vicious cycle
- Lack of opportunity to practice social skills
- Lack of things in common with peers
- Learning Disabilities & Developmental Disorders
Impact of Social Skills Problems
|
Children Are Perceived As “Different” ----> Low Self-esteem ----> Isolation ---> Depression
Confusion ---> Withdrawal ---> Limited Practice
