Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is so named because it affects each person differently. Some children with autism may be very high functioning, and some children may need a lot of support to handle daily activities. But one thing that most children with autism have in common is that they struggle to some degree with social skills and communication.

Today, we’re going to explain why that is and cover some of the main areas of social communication that children with autism might find challenging. We’ll also explain how pediatric therapy can help your child build their social skills so they can experience more meaningful interactions with others in daily life.

Autism Is Essentially a Social Communication Disorder

By social communication, we mean the ability to understand and use language in social situations. It’s how you can tell if your friend is having a bad day by their body language or tone of voice. It’s how you can share a joke with someone you know well just by looking at them. It’s also how you know to follow social rules, like using appropriate language in the workplace.

A social communication disorder is when a person has trouble with using language (both verbal and nonverbal) to interact with others. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to have a lot of trouble with social communication. They don’t easily pick up on social cues, or they have trouble understanding why people act in certain ways. This is why we say that autism is essentially a social communication disorder.

Children with ASD May Struggle to Understand Body Language

A huge part of communication is actually nonverbal. Your facial expressions and body language are just as much a part of social communication as the words you choose to say. Children with autism might struggle to understand this part of communication in the following ways:

  • Not understanding that someone rolling their eyes means they’re displeased or annoyed with something
  • Not recognizing that someone who’s crossing their arms or turning away does not want to have a conversation
  • Not understanding that what someone says out loud might not be true (example: someone who has obviously been crying but who says, “I’m fine.”)

These challenges can lead to difficulty understanding and connecting with other people. It can also make it harder for children with autism to react appropriately in different situations, such as leaving someone alone who doesn’t want to talk or offering comfort to someone who is upset.

Children with ASD May Not Understand Tone of Voice

Another big part of communication is the tone of voice we use to say things. The way you say something can show your emotions, convey a hidden meaning, etc. But these nuances can be difficult for children with autism to fully understand. They may:

  • Mistake sarcasm for honesty (e.g., if someone says “Oh, great job!” after they make a mistake)
  • Not recognize a specific tone or raised voice indicates anger or displeasure
  • Not know how to change their tone of voice to express their own feelings, which can confuse others

These challenges can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with friends, authority figures, and family. It can also make children with autism feel socially isolated because they do not get why people say one thing when they mean another, or why others don’t like the way they themselves communicate.

Children with ASD May Struggle to Understand Social Cues

Finally, there are certain social cues and rules that children with autism don’t pick up on as easily as their neurotypical peers. These cues are a big part of daily interactions, and not following these unspoken rules can make it difficult for children with autism to make friends or participate in group activities. They may:

  • Not realize they need to “wait their turn” in a conversation and speak over others
  • Not understand why or how to adjust their behavior in different environments (e.g., watching a movie at home versus watching at a movie theater)
  • Not notice when they need to change the subject of a conversation because others find it inappropriate or boring

These challenges can lead to awkward social interactions, frustrate others, and make it difficult for children with autism to make friends.

Pediatric Therapy Can Help Children with ASD Build Their Social Skills

Pediatric occupational therapy is a fantastic treatment that can help children with autism learn to recognize, understand, and use these social communication skills. Our experts will work with your child to identify what areas of social communication they find challenging, and then build a personalized therapy plan to address those areas.

Some of the techniques we use in pediatric therapy include:

  • Modeling appropriate behavior and conversations
  • Practicing how to have a conversation
  • Role-playing different scenarios to help a child recognize social cues
  • Teaching simple social scripts that can be used in daily life, such as how to introduce yourself or how to end a conversation

Reach Out to First Steps for Expert Support

Social communication can be challenging for children with autism, but with the right support and guidance, they can develop the skills needed to connect with others. If your child needs help to build their social skills, our team at First Steps Pediatric Therapy is here for you!

Call us today at (720) 989-0179 to schedule an evaluation and help your child take their first steps toward a brighter future.