As children transition into adolescence and beyond, social communication skills become increasingly essential for navigating the complexities of relationships, academics, and everyday life. 

However, some older children and teens may struggle with aspects of social communication, impacting their ability to connect with others and thrive in social settings. As a parent, supporting your child in developing these skills is crucial for their overall well-being and success.

In this guide, we'll explore how to recognize signs of social communication challenges and provide strategies for improvement.

Recognising Signs of Social Communication Challenges

Recognising when your older child or teen may be struggling with social communication skills is the first step towards providing support. Here are some common signs to watch out for:

• Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations
• Trouble understanding and interpreting others’ social cues, such as body language or facial expressions
• Challenges with turn-taking, sharing and even understanding how to be a good winner or loser
• Difficulty making and maintaining friendships
• Trouble expressing thoughts and emotions clearly
• Avoidance of social situations or withdrawal from peer groups

Strategies for Improvement

As a parent, there are several strategies you can employ to help improve your child's social communication skills:

• Open Communication: Encourage open communication with your child about their social experiences and challenges. Create a safe and supportive environment where they feel comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns.

• Modelling Social Skills: Model appropriate social behaviours and communication techniques for your child to observe and emulate. Demonstrate active listening, empathy, and positive communication strategies in your interactions with others.  Identify and label your feelings for your child so that they can see how to manage difficult emotions effectively.

• Role-Playing: Engage in role-playing activities with your child to practise social skills in a safe and controlled environment. Act out different social scenarios and provide feedback and guidance on effective communication techniques.  Discuss ways to respond and even script phrases that your child can use in different situations.

• Peer Groups: Consider your child’s interests and help them to make social connections with peers who have similar interests.  Develop your child’s special skills and interests in an enjoyable way through skill-building exercises, working together as a team and developing peer interactions all whilst having fun around a common interest or shared goal!

• Encourage Extracurricular Activities: Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities or hobbies that foster social interaction and teamwork. Sports teams, clubs, and volunteer opportunities provide valuable opportunities for social skill development in a supportive environment.

• Set Realistic Goals: Work with your child to set realistic goals for improving their social communication skills. Break larger goals down into smaller, achievable steps and celebrate their progress along the way.

• Seek Professional Support: If your child's social communication challenges significantly impact their daily functioning, consider seeking professional support from a speech-language pathologist, psychologist, or counsellor. These professionals can provide individualised assessment and intervention tailored to your child's needs.

Ready to support your older child or teen in developing essential social communication skills?

Explore the range of educational products and resources offered by Talk and Teach. From social skills workbooks to interactive games and activities, Talk and Teach provides valuable tools to support your child's social communication development. Browse our products today and empower your child to thrive in social situations!