Sweaty palms. Nervous laughter. The creeping dread of being made the centre of attention. Teenagers go through an awkward phase when it comes to social interactions—and neurodivergent young adults are no exception. Teens and tweens with autism in Mississauga often face unique challenges when it comes to joining the social milieu. However, with a little guidance and support, they can nurture key social skills that will empower them to lead fulfilling lives. 

Here are ten effective strategies to foster social skills development in neurodivergent youth.

1. Try Out Role-Playing Exercises
Practice makes perfect. There’s no harm in conducting a few role-playing exercises to work on social skills in a safe and supportive environment. Role-playing allows young adults to experiment with different social scenarios and receive feedback on their behaviour.

2. Promote Positive Reinforcement
An often heard, encouraging word, can go a long way. Be sure to be generous with positive reinforcement and praise when your young adult demonstrates appropriate social skills. Take the time to celebrate their successes and acknowledge their efforts. Positive reinforcement will encourage continued development and growth in children with autism in the social arena.

3. Put Them In Structured Social Skill Training Programs
‍There are classes that teach public speaking and how to communicate with confidence. Make use of these structured social skill training programs. Get to know the instructors to help tailor the class to your child’s needs. Courses can cover a range of skills, including how to initiate a conversation, how to maintain eye contact, and what to look for when it comes to non-verbal cues.

‍4. Mentorship Through Peers
The buddy system works wonders when it comes to developing social skills. Ask instructors to pair young adults with autism with peer mentors who can serve as role models and provide guidance in social situations. It has been shown that peer mentors often provide practical advice, support, and encouragement. 

5. Participate In Community Engagement Activities
Get your child involved in a wide variety of activities in the neighbourhood. The more participation the better when it comes to community engagement activities. Have them join clubs, volunteer, or attend social events such as street fairs and baseball games. These activities provide opportunities for young adults with autism to expand their social networks and practice social skills in real-life settings.

6. Use Social Stories and Visual Supports
‍Having a picture to work from can help to clarify a lot of the unspoken rules of social interactions. Feel free to make use of social stories and visual supports to help a neurodivergent child to navigate social situations and gain a firmer grasp on social expectations. These tools are often available online. Print some out to provide concrete examples and guidance on appropriate behaviour.

7. Build Self-Advocacy Skills
Sticking up for yourself, even in subtle ways, is very important. Teaching your child to be more assertive can help them navigate social scenarios more gracefully throughout their lives. Work on self-advocacy skills to empower your young adult to express their needs and preferences in social situations. You can help them identify strategies for independent expression and how to set boundaries.

8. Engage In Social Skills Groups
‍Let your teen know that they are not alone. Facilitate social skills groups where young adults can interact with peers who share similar challenges. Groups like this provide a structured and  supportive environment for trying out new social skills, which helps them build confidence and develop friendships.

9. Look Into Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
‍‍Don’t shy away from bringing in professionals to help your child with autism. With a trained psychologist, you can make use of  cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques to improve social skills and address social anxiety. CBT helps young adults work around negative thoughts and behaviours that may be getting in the way of their social interactions.

10. Reach Out To Family and Caregiver Support
‍‍Look to relatives and siblings to help out with the social skills development of your neurodivergent child. Working together, a familiar network can reinforce their confidence at home and provide education and resources to support your child.

One requires a multi-faceted approach to foster social skills in young adults with autism in Mississauga. It starts with addressing each child’s individual strengths and challenges. By implementing the strategies outlined above, we can empower individuals to enhance their quality of life, build meaningful connections, and thrive in social settings. With a little patience, support, and encouragement, young neurodivergent adults can develop the social skills they need to succeed in many aspects of life.