But that’s not what I want to talk about…
From elementary to high school children are likely to spend a lot of their time speaking to their peers. Whether it’s about school, a new show or movie, or their new pet, kids will typically look for any free moment they can to whisper or talk to their friends and classmates, but for those with neurodivergences, engaging in various types of conversation can sometimes be difficult. They may find it hard to be interested in what their peers, parents, and siblings are saying if they are not familiar with it, making socializing difficult, and can eventually make it harder for them to make and maintain friendships.
If a kid, teen, or young adult is unable to listen to a friend or peer who is speaking about a topic only they find interesting, the interaction and friendship can begin to feel very one sided. It is important for children to be capable of partaking in conversations that they may not be used to, not only because it can spark a new interest, but can also show that they are nurturing the friendship they share with that other person. If they can be actively engaged in conversation that shifts from one topic to the other, then it not only strengthens their social skills, but can help when trying to make friends, listen in class, and be open to finding new interests and hobbies to do with their peers. However, if they lack this skill, it may lead them into social isolation since most people would not only want to discuss what the other person is interested in all the time, leading to other issues such as anxiety, depression, failure to launch, and many more.
At the Support for Students Growth Center, we provide the social, behavioral, emotional, and executive functioning skills children, teens, young adults, and their families need for a happy and successful life in and out of school settings. Our team of professionals offers individualized and family coaching/counseling and social skills groups to help teach skills such as how to be actively engaged in various conversations to ensure parents do not have to worry that their kids will be unable to make and maintain friendships and utilize the proper social skills on their own. So, if your child is struggling with skills like the ones listed above and much more, the SSGC is equipped with the tools to help.
Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders. Dr. Nach is the founder of the Support for Students Growth Center and College Life Skills Program where he and his team of professional’s help develop the Emotional Maturity, Executive Functioning, Life Skill and Social Abilities of children, teens, young adults and college students and those high school students preparing for college. The CollegeLSP is a subsidiary program of the Support For Students Growth Center, located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide.
