Having a solid friend group is linked to happiness and longevity. As an adult, having the ability to make new friends and nourish existing friendships is a big part of our emotional stability. These are skills we learn as children and continue to develop throughout our lives. Building peer relationships and encouraging social play are essential for the emotional and social development of all children, including those with autism. It’s not uncommon for some children with autism to face challenges in these areas. At Monarch House we can help with social skill development through our workshops and therapy sessions. We offer useful strategies to help them form meaningful connections and enjoy social interactions. 

Here are ten ways to support peer relationships and social play in children with autism in Toronto. 

1. Teach Social Skills Explicitly

Does your child use other people’s names when they talk to them? Are they able to offer compliments and niceties gracefully into a conversation? Many children with autism benefit from direct instruction in social skills. At Monarch House, we use role-playing, social stories, or visual aids to teach specific skills like greeting others, asking to join a game, or sharing. Practicing these skills in a safe setting can build confidence.

2. Leverage Special Interests

Is your child passionate about collecting stickers and filling book after book with googly-eyed creatures? Are they big fans of dinosaurs? Incorporating a child’s special interests into play activities can encourage participation and interaction. For example, a group activity where they create a comic book with stickers, or build a dinosaur diorama, can engage both the child and their peers.

3. Create an Inclusive Environment

At Monarch House we are strong proponents of the concept of You Belong. We are welcoming to children of all walks of life, just the way they are, and we encourage everyone to be themselves. Fostering an inclusive environment is the foundation for encouraging peer relationships. At home and at school, parents and caregivers are encouraged to educate other children about autism in age-appropriate ways to promote understanding and acceptance. Encourage peers to be kind, patient, and inclusive, celebrating the unique contributions of every child.

4. Facilitate Structured Activities

Play is a big part of building new friend groups. Encourage your child to find an activity they like to do, and introduce them to others that have the same interests. At Monarch House, we facilitate structured activities like group games, crafts, or storytelling. We provide clear expectations and put less of an emphasis on the unpredictability of free play. Activities with defined roles or turn-taking encourage interaction in a way that feels manageable for children with autism.

5. Use Peer Models

The Big Buddy system is a very effective way of developing social skills and building peer groups. Pairing children with autism with empathetic and socially skilled peers can be a positive way to nurture communication skills. Peer models can demonstrate how to initiate conversations, share, or collaborate on activities. This gentle guidance can make social interactions less intimidating.

6. Use Visual Supports

Some children like to be able to see what they’re going to do in advance of actually doing that thing. Visual supports like cue cards, schedules, or picture boards can help guide social interactions. For example, a visual card indicating “your turn” can make turn-taking easier to understand, reducing frustration and promoting smoother play.

7. Encourage Small Group Interactions

Break out the card table and think of some games that your child can play with smaller groups of three or four. Large groups can be overwhelming for children with autism. Small groups or one-on-one play sessions provide a calmer setting where children can connect more easily. These smaller interactions can build confidence and trust, paving the way for broader social engagement.

8. Celebrate Achievements

Have a special trip planned for you and your child. Every time they make a new friend, put another sticker on the board, until the goal is met, and you are on your way to that magical place. Positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in encouraging social behavior. Celebrate even small steps, such as making eye contact or joining a group activity. Praise and rewards can motivate children to continue engaging with their peers.

9. Practice Joint Attention Activities

It’s okay to start out with parallel play. Eventually, we want to encourage your child to share their attention with another child with similar interests. Joint attention—focusing on the same object or activity with another person—is a foundational social skill. Activities like reading books, playing simple games, or building puzzles together encourage shared focus and interaction.

10. Build Consistent Play Opportunities

At Monarch House, we set the stage of ongoing, regular adventures with your child’s peers. Consistency helps children with autism feel secure. Regular playdates or consistent participation in group activities can build familiarity and trust, fostering long-term friendships. Over time, these relationships become more natural and rewarding.

It takes some work to build a friend group. At Monarch House, we can help by bringing some of the pieces together and instilling some of the necessary skills. Fostering peer relationships and encouraging social play amongst children with autism in Toronto requires thoughtful planning and support. By developing social skills, creating an inclusive environment, and celebrating progress, we can help these children build meaningful connections and enjoy the benefits of social play. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff or occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help. These strategies not only empower children with autism but also enrich the social dynamics of their communities.