Home School Social Skills

Teaching Social Skills to Children on the Autistic Spectrum

© Copyright, 2009 Spectrumhomeschool. All rights reserved.

A vital part of a home school curriculum is preparing a child to independently strive and succeed both in and outside the home, such components are often referred to as "life skills." A vital life skill component in our household has involved social skills.

While parenting my son with high-functioning autism, I’ve had ample opportunity to observe his social skills, and in doing so developed, discovered, adapted and modified several social skills' techniques to assist my son in new situations and environments.

In the process of writing this article, I came to the realization of how many social skills’ strategies I actually implement, some naturally without thought in regards to social skills, such as reading a joke book aloud to my son, and other purposeful efforts, like continually inviting peers over to our house.

While reading special needs' resources, reflecting, and compiling this article, I rediscovered and invented some techniques I intend to implement in my teaching program soon, specifically: practicing expressions in the mirror, practicing introducing self to others, and the "Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How Questions."

If you find the following strategies helpful, you might consider printing the list as well as the Sensory Strategies Behavioral Strategies and other ideas found under "Spectrum Needs."

I suggest printing the lists out, hole punching the paper, and storing the papers in a binder.

In addition to reviewing the ideas presented at Spectrum Homeschool, consider seeking out the assistance of a professional in regards to your child with special needs.

Additionally, the more you read and educate yourself, your relatives, and your friends about your child’s special needs, the more apt you will have the needed resources to assist your child in the best way possible.

For more resources, if you live in the United States of America, contact your State Department of Special Education or your local school district and inquire about parenting classes and workshops related to raising and educating children with special needs. Sometimes special education departments, support groups, and nonprofit agencies will offer free lending libraries and seminars.

If you home school, search for other parents who also have experience with children with special needs.

Here is the list of Common Social Challenges followed by an extensive list of Strategies. Please contact us with questions.

Common Social Challenges:

Meltdowns and outbursts

Over-stimulation

Feelings of insecurity, anxiety and fear

Feelings may be manifested in physical ailments and real body pain

Overwhelmed

Difficulty grasping humor and seeing the a different perspective or point of view

May choose one word from a discussion and base his/her individual response on the one identified element instead of the main point of topic

Verbal impulsivity and nervousness, as well as a need to fit in, may lead to interruptions, babbling and hurried speech

Lacks ability at times to determine appropriate time for closure and instead speaks incessantly

Grooming and hygiene issues, as well as difficulty evaluating own appearance, presentation and attire

Gullible, unable to always understand the punch line of a joke or hidden meaning of a statement and easily persuaded by others

Difficulty with nonverbal body language, inappropriate body proximity and facial expression

Fluctuating tone, rhythm, volume, and pitch of voice

Timing of speech and delivery varies

Short attention span

Prefers familiarity in people and surroundings

Recognizes adults are easier to predict than children

Difficulty recognizing what behavior is expected in a new situation or event when compared to another past experience—may run, scream, jump instead of sitting

New textures, sounds, sights, foods, expectations, temperatures, people, etc.

Nervous habits and repetitive behavior

Practical Techniques to Assist with Sensory Issues:

1. Identify triggers and avoid triggers (loud noise, phobias, not getting his/her way, etc.)

2. Limit stimulation. Choose smaller gatherings with familiar people and gradually work up from there.

3. Review the schedule for an outing. Review the Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why.

Who will be there?

What might I expect?

When will I arrive and depart?

Where are we going?

How many people will be there?

Why are we going?

(Also use contrast and comparison charts or drawings to show how a new situation relates to past experiences)

4. Choose your battles with your child. Is this something that can be better left for review at a later time?

5. Provide a safe place or person for retreat.

6. Point out nervous habits and repetitive behaviors, such as sticking fingers in ears that others would not receive well.

7. Pre-visit the environment via visualization, story telling, online website, brochure, photographs, and drawings.

8. Continually teach social skills through altering disciplines: literature, fables, worksheets, classes, movies, etc.

9. Repeatedly expose the child to social situations which involve his or her personal hobby or area of interest. (trading cards, dolls) Expose the child to a peer group with like interests.

10. Ease your child back into the conversation. Say, “My ears are full.” “Let’s give your new friend a chance to talk.”

11. Use facial cards, magazines, photographs, paintings, and mirrors to review facial expressions and emotions. Study eye expression and posture in the mirror.

12. Expose the child to typical peers in church, school events, outings, and other groups.

13. Verbally explain body language and play charades.

14. Teach figurative speech, hyperboles, personification, irony and the like.

15. Write down specific social skill goals with the child and together write down ways you plan to practice those goals.

16. Listen to Aesop’s Fables and read famous quotations about human behavior.

17. Read aloud joke books.

18. Watch age-appropriate funny You-Tube videos.

19. Practice introducing self to others.

20. Practice and teach good hygiene. Find things your child enjoys while bathing, e.g. toys, bubbles, shaving cream, music, soft lighting, lavender oil, dead sea or Epson salt, fizzy vitamin C tablets.

21. Record voice.

22. Teach other’s point of view.

23. Kindly correct and redirect in private.

24. Avoid putdowns, criticism and teasing.

25. Enlist another adult or older sibling to shadow the child.

26. Provide a familiar object such as a favorite book, jacket and thermos.

27. Schedule Family meetings

28. Journal about the upcoming or past social event.

29. Play a relaxing video, piece of music or engaging game in the car on the way to the event.

30. Continually reassure and compliment your child on his/her ability to conquer fear and anxiety.

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