What is Social Skills Therapy?
Here is an intervention to teach the skills for improved communication and social interactions.
By Ali Perkinson, EdD, CCC-SLP, BCBA-D
Social interaction can be one of the most complex challenges faced by autistic individuals. Reading social cues, engaging in conversations, and understanding unspoken rules of interaction can be a struggle for many autistic people.
Friendships, school life, employment, and relationships can all be affected by these difficulties.
Social skills therapy can provide targeted support for individuals with autism to develop and strengthen interpersonal skills, improve their quality of life, and feel more confident in the world.
What is social skills therapy?
Social skills therapy is an intervention aimed at teaching autistic individuals how to interact effectively and authentically with others. Its primary goals are to improve communication, enhance understanding of social rules, and promote positive peer interactions, as well as career advancement and romantic relationships. Core principles of social skills intervention include modeling “expected” behavior, role-playing, feedback, explaining hidden social rules, and reinforcement.