Social Skills for Neurodivergent Children
Social Skills for Neurodivergent Children
Empowering Neurodivergent Children
At Starleaf Psychological Services, located in Pasadena and serving families throughout Los Angeles County, Dr. Jade Starleaf offers specialized support and strategies to enhance the social skills of neurodivergent children. With over ten years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental profiles, Dr. Starleaf understands the unique social learning styles and challenges faced by these children.
Developing strong social skills is crucial for building meaningful relationships, navigating social situations, and fostering overall well-being. Dr. Starleaf utilizes evidence-based approaches and tailored interventions to help neurodivergent children understand social cues, develop effective communication strategies, and build confidence in their social interactions.
Why Choose Dr. Jade Starleaf for Social Skills Support?
- Specialized Expertise: Dr. Starleaf has extensive experience and training in understanding the social cognitive differences of neurodivergent children.
- Individualized Approach: Recognizing that each child has unique strengths and challenges, Dr. Starleaf develops personalized strategies and interventions to address specific social skills goals.
- Evidence-Based Techniques: Utilizing proven methods such as social stories, visual supports, role-playing, and explicit instruction to teach social concepts and skills.
- Positive and Supportive Environment: Creating a safe, accepting, and encouraging space where children feel comfortable learning and practicing new skills.
- Collaboration with Families: Dr. Starleaf works closely with parents and caregivers to provide consistent support and strategies at home.
Why Choose Dr. Jade Starleaf for Social Skills Support?
- Specialized Expertise: Dr. Starleaf has extensive experience and training in understanding the social cognitive differences of neurodivergent children.
- Individualized Approach: Recognizing that each child has unique strengths and challenges, Dr. Starleaf develops personalized strategies and interventions to address specific social skills goals.
- Evidence-Based Techniques: Utilizing proven methods such as social stories, visual supports, role-playing, and explicit instruction to teach social concepts and skills.
- Positive and Supportive Environment: Creating a safe, accepting, and encouraging space where children feel comfortable learning and practicing new skills.
- Collaboration with Families: Dr. Starleaf works closely with parents and caregivers to provide consistent support and strategies at home.
How Dr. Starleaf Supports Social Skill Development
Dr. Starleaf employs a variety of techniques and approaches to help neurodivergent children improve their social skills, including:
- Social Skills Groups: Facilitating small group sessions focused on specific social skills, peer interaction, and collaborative activities (please see our “Group Therapy for Children and Families” page for more information on current group offerings).
- Individualized Social Skills Training: Providing one-on-one sessions to target specific social communication goals, such as understanding nonverbal cues, initiating and maintaining conversations, and managing social conflicts.
- Social Stories and Visual Supports: Using visual aids and narrative tools to explain social situations, expected behaviors, and emotional cues in a clear and accessible way.
- Role-Playing and Practice: Engaging in structured role-playing scenarios to practice social interactions and problem-solving in a safe setting.
- Emotional Literacy Development: Helping children understand and express their own emotions and recognize the emotions of others.
- Executive Function Support: Addressing underlying executive function skills that impact social interactions, such as impulse control, organization, and flexibility.
- Positive Behavior Supports: Utilizing positive reinforcement and strategies to encourage desired social behaviors.
Areas of Social Skill Development Addressed:
Dr. Starleaf can help children develop skills in areas such as:
- Understanding Nonverbal Communication: Interpreting facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.
- Initiating and Maintaining Conversations: Learning how to start conversations, ask appropriate questions, and stay on topic.
- Turn-Taking and Sharing: Understanding the importance of reciprocal interactions and sharing resources.
- Understanding Social Rules and Expectations: Learning the unspoken rules of different social contexts.
- Perspective-Taking: Developing the ability to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.
- Problem-Solving in Social Situations: Learning strategies to navigate disagreements and conflicts.
- Making and Keeping Friends: Developing the skills necessary for building and maintaining positive peer relationships.
- Managing Emotions in Social Contexts: Learning to regulate emotional responses in social situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do neurodivergent children often need specific social skills support?
Neurodivergent children may process social information differently and may not intuitively pick up on subtle social cues or understand neurotypical social expectations. Explicit instruction and tailored strategies can help bridge this gap.
At what age can children begin social skills support?
Social skills support can be beneficial for children of various ages, starting as early as preschool and continuing through adolescence. The approach and content will be tailored to the child’s developmental level.
How do I know if my child needs help with social skills?
Signs that a child may benefit from social skills support include difficulty making or keeping friends, challenges understanding social cues, frequent misunderstandings in social situations, anxiety in social settings, and difficulty engaging in reciprocal play or conversations.
Is social skills support provided in groups or individual sessions?
Dr. Starleaf offers both individual and group-based social skills support, depending on the child’s needs and goals. Group sessions provide opportunities for peer interaction and practice, while individual sessions allow for more focused and tailored instruction.
How can parents support their child's social skill development at home?
Dr. Starleaf provides parents with practical strategies to reinforce social skills learned in sessions at home, such as using social stories, practicing role-playing, and providing opportunities for structured social interactions.
Ready to get started?
If you are seeking specialized and compassionate support to help your neurodivergent child develop their social skills in the Pasadena or Los Angeles County area, Dr. Jade Starleaf at Starleaf Psychological Services is here to help. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your child’s unique needs and explore how our tailored social skills interventions can empower them to build stronger connections and thrive in social situations.
