About social interaction and ASD
Children with ASD often experience difficulties in social interactions with those around them. Specifically, children may have difficulty understanding facial expressions, initiating interaction with others, responding to others in a social setting and understanding and responding to others’ emotions. Through repeated exposure to everyday interactions and modelling, children develop confidence in social skills over time. Some children with ASD may avoid social interactions as a result of anxiety or reduced interest around socialisation, so using a child’s own interests can help support this process.
Why do we need to develop social interaction skills in children with ASD in playgroup?
Development of social skills is vital for children with ASD so that they can engage in meaningful relationships with family members, peers and partners in later life. Continued difficulty in social situations may lead to isolation, anxiety or avoidance of such settings in the future.
Difficulties in social interaction may continue into adulthood if they are not addressed with early intervention. Persistence and guidance around social interaction is likely to lead to positive outcomes amongst children with ASD and ASD-like characteristics.