As we shuffle about, typically these days with our heads down and eyes locked into the glow of our digital device, something is amiss. You may have found yourself being one of these folks or on the receiving end of a trip, a bump, or a full blown crash as you move about your day. Ouch! Watch it! We are not just encountering this with adults, but also with children young enough to walk, or the gaggle of teens taking over sidewalks. The digital age is sculpting the way we interact, connect, and socialize with one another. Our youth have always needed us to model and teach them social skills, now more than ever.
Some youngsters learn how to engage with peers by watching adults model behaviors. However, some with learning and thinking differences sometimes struggle with relationships. If your child struggles with social connections with same age peers, a social skill group can help. Social skills, otherwise known as “soft skills” are crucial for making friends, succeeding in school, and later on getting and maintaining a job. Below describes the what's and how’s to social skill groups.
What?
Social skills groups are small and typically between 3-8 children or teens. They can help your children learn how to navigate conversations, friendships, and how to solve problems. Additionally, they can help teach emotional regulation and how to understand others perspectives.
How?
Perhaps your child has difficulty striking up and/or maintaining a conversation. Or possibly, they don’t quite understand facial expressions or know how to read body language. These groups have an educational element embedded into the curriculum and also involve “role plays” and other games to help individuals practice skills learned.
Benefits?
There are numerous ways your child can benefit from these groups and they include:
Starting a conversation and staying on topic
How to respond to someone
How to share and take turns Learning to read body language and facial cues
How to ask for help and guidance
All children and teens can benefit from social skill groups, especially those with learning difficulties including ADHD, adjustment disorders, developmental delays, and non-verbal learning disabilities. When searching for a group, please keep in mind that groups facilitated by licensed social workers, counselors, and other behavioral therapists will have the skills and training to effectively lead these groups. It’s also important to work with an organization who believes in collaborating and partnering with schools, parents, and caregivers.
By Jean Hausmann, LCSW