Socialization is essential for us all, but for children and adults with special needs, social skills don’t always come easy. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child or an adult with special needs, then you are probably all too familiar with the social limitations that can come with the territory. Although socialization can be difficult, it is essential for all of us. Here are a couple of tips from Arc of Burlington to help you enhance your loved one’s social skills:
#1. Practice with facial expressions flashcards.
Put together or purchase flashcards with different facial expressions, like these. Practicing with these kinds of flashcards will help your loved one feel more comfortable in social situations and be able to recognize emotions more easily in others.
#2. Teach them to ask questions.
Questions are important for many reasons. Not only does asking questions help you find the answers you need, they also help us get to know each other and are great tools for starting conversations. One effective way to help your loved one learn to ask questions is to pretend like you are interviewing them and vice versa. Not only will this activity help your loved one to learn how to ask questions, but it will also coach them in what to ask in social situations.
At Arc of Burlington, we offer a variety of disability services that can help both children and adults with disabilities socialize, including special needs camps, day care, adult day care and so much more. We also put on regular events and activities. Click here to check out our upcoming events, and stay tuned for our next blog for more tips for improving social skills.