As a family living on the spectrum, countless hours and dollars go to social skills therapy. We know it is valuable, we know these are skills our son needs to succeed, but sometimes I feel like all of the therapy isn't resulting in what we want. Are those changes we see enough when my son still falls apart if he loses a game, if he makes a small mistake, if he is tardy to class, or if he thinks others aren't listening to him?
The importance of social skills therapy is indisputable, but for a fresh take, check out this video from Asperger's Experts. The premise isn't that social skills shouldn't be taught at all, but we have to remember the importance of the other challenges that affect the ability to learn social skills and appropriately engage in social settings. I can attest that, no matter how adept I can be in social situations, I am not at my best when I am overwhelmed or emotional. I can completely lack situational awareness when I am in defense mode.
This video presentation is a great reminder that while we focus on those ever-important social skills, we shouldn't forget to also lay a foundation by helping our loved ones on the spectrum learn to cope with the sensory and emotional aspects that so affect our environments and interactions.
The next time you think that social skills therapy might be falling short, take a step back, remember where you started, and then remember what you need to establish that secure foundation for growth. Your kiddo might just surprise you the next time you go to your favorite public place by pulling out their greetings and conversing with others because they worked on those social skills in therapy and had a familiar and comfortable place or situation in which to use them.
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