Social Skills Problems

What exactly is a “social skill”?  Social skills typically refer to those behaviors that foster positive relationships with others.  These behaviors include things as basic as eye contact and voice volume to more advanced skills such as problem solving, communication, and self-management.  Comprising both verbal and non-verbal behaviors, social skills are the gateway to forming healthy, meaningful relationships with others.  Thus, when a child does not “not fit in” it is painful for everyone.  No parent wants to see their child have to experience rejection.

Many individuals have behavioral deficits and/or excesses, making social interaction challenging.  Learning difficulties such as Aspergers and ADHD can make these interactions ten times more challenging.  Parents often express concern that their child is shy, seems uninterested in playing with others, or unable to make friends.  While others are concerned their child is a bully, lacks empathy for peers, or makes poor decisions around peers.  In order to help children develop these skills, parents first must understand on what level they need assistance.