Social groups are important for children with Autism

Today I am going to talk about the important role of having"Friends". Most people don't realize that everyday they keep social networks through Facebook, Myspace,Twitter just to keep communication lines to friends and family. Friends are a sounding board that we naturally roll ideas off or in some cases help form opinions of current events and relationships. Kids on the spectrum have a hard time reading social cues and it's very difficult for them to cultivate lasting relationships with peers. Social skills should be started at an early age so that children can be comfortable around children their own age not just adults. When children have social groups they connect with others and realize that sharing information with others can be fun some can share laughter and understand that they aren't alone. Children with autism who are higher functioning especially isolate themselves not due to the fact that they don't want to have friends, but that they feel no one understands them. That is why starting small playgroups early on is necessary for children to share and practice turn taking skills. Skills that are taught in groups are to take turns when speaking and talk about many topics of interest not just an area the child might perseverate on. One way of helping increase social skills is to form a small group on your own with your own close friend's children. That way it starts with someone that they already know and you can expand the social circle to others. Summer can be a wonderful time to go to the library, spend at the park and ride bikes make sure you give opportunities to have your child connect with school friend's or make new friends through camp or classes.