What Are Social Skills?
Social skills are often described as the ways we interact, communicate, and build relationships with others. They include things like making friends, understanding social cues, taking turns in conversation, and managing emotions in social settings.
But here’s the thing, there’s no one ‘right’ way to be social. Children have different communication styles, preferences, and ways of connecting with others. At Chatterbox, we take a neurodiversity-affirming approach that focuses on helping children build relationships in a way that feels natural, respectful, and meaningful to them.
It’s not about ‘fixing’ behaviours. It’s about supporting connection, reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, and empowering children to be themselves in a world that often expects sameness.
What Are the Signs a Child Might Be Finding Social Interactions Tricky?
Every child interacts differently, but some signs a child may need extra support with social interactions include:
- Finding it hard to join in or stay involved in peer play, especially in busy or fast-moving groups
- Interpreting body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice differently than others expect
- Sharing passionately about interests without always noticing when others are disengaged
- Avoiding social situations due to anxiety, overwhelm, or past negative experiences
- Feeling dysregulated during group play, turn-taking, or moments of conflict
- Experiencing loneliness, disconnection, or a sense of being misunderstood
These challenges can stem from a mismatch between how a child communicates and what others expect- not from a lack of care, interest, or kindness.
What Causes Social Interaction Difficulties?
There are many reasons a child might find social situations hard. These may include:
- Neurodevelopmental differences (e.g. Autism, ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder)
- Differences in communication style or processing speed
- Sensory sensitivities that make group environments overwhelming
- Anxiety or past experiences of exclusion
- Difficulty with flexible thinking or emotional regulation
- Limited access to safe, inclusive peer experiences
Some children may prefer one-on-one connections or smaller groups. Others may need support understanding unspoken social rules. Our job is to meet them where they are, not ask them to change who they are.
How Will Working on Social Interaction Skills Help My Child?
Working on social interaction skills can help your child feel more confident, better understood, and more able to connect with others in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them. It can support your child to:
- Build genuine connections and friendships in ways that feel natural and meaningful to them
- Communicate needs, preferences, and boundaries with more clarity and confidence
- Navigate group settings — like classrooms, playgrounds, or community activities — with the support they need to feel included
- Feel safer, more understood, and more at ease in social situations
- Advocate for themselves and interact with others in ways that reflect their unique communication style and identity
Social Skills:
Facts vs Myths
Myth:
“They’re just not interested in other kids.”
Fact:
Many children care deeply about connection, but may not show it in conventional ways or may have had negative social experiences in the past.
Myth:
“They need to be taught how to act ‘appropriately.’”
Fact:
Social development isn’t about performing or copying. It’s about helping children feel confident in their own communication and building mutual understanding with others.
Myth:
“They’ll pick it up on their own. They just need some more time.”
Fact:
Some kids need explicit, respectful support to understand social expectations, build relationships, and feel safe being themselves around others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Isn’t ‘social skills training’ a bit outdated or non-affirming?
It can be, especially if it focuses on teaching children to copy others or hide their natural ways of interacting to appear more “typical.” This is called masking, and while it may help children fit in on the surface, it often comes at a cost to their wellbeing. Masking might look like forcing eye contact, suppressing movements like fidgeting or rocking (known as stimming), or holding back their true communication style. These behaviours are often used by children to self-regulate or express themselves and suppressing them can lead to stress and burnout over time.
So how is your approach different?
We don’t focus on teaching kids to blend in, we focus on helping them feel safe, confident, and connected. Our neurodiversity-affirming approach supports children to build meaningful relationships in ways that reflect who they are, not who they’re expected to be.
How can Occupational Therapy help support social development?
Occupational Therapists build the underlying skills that support meaningful connection, like emotional awareness, co-regulation, flexible thinking, and self-advocacy. It’s not about changing who your child is. It’s about giving them the tools to connect in ways that feel safe, authentic, and sustainable- without pressure to perform or conform.
What does therapy look like?
Therapy is child-led and strengths-based, tailored to your child’s unique communication style, sensory needs, and interests. Sessions might include video modelling, play-based interactions, role play, co-regulation activities, or conversations about friendship, boundaries, and advocacy. The focus is on creating safe, engaging opportunities to explore connection in ways that fit your child.
When should I seek support?
If your child feels overwhelmed in social situations, avoids connection, or is missing out on interactions they’d like to have, an OT can help. We’ll work with you to understand what’s going on beneath the surface and create a supportive, personalised plan that feels right for your child and your family. Learn more about that process here.
Our therapy services focus on
It’s worth chatting with an Occupational Therapist
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