Asperteens Group Therapy

Social skills are the foundation of human interaction.

They encompass a wide range of behaviours, from simple greetings and polite conversation to complex forms of negotiation and conflict resolution. For most people, these skills develop naturally as they grow!

However, for individuals with autism, particularly teens, social skills can be a significant challenge. This blog explores why social skills are important, the difficulties faced by teens with autism in developing these skills, and how they can be supported through our Asperteens Group Therapy.

The Importance of Social Skills

Social skills enable us to communicate effectively, build relationships, navigate social situations, and resolve conflicts. They are important to contribute to academic and professional success, foster self-esteem, and help individuals connect meaningfully with others. Social skills are essential for a multitude of reasons:

1. Building Relationships: Social interactions are the building blocks of relationships. Whether it’s forming friendships, maintaining family bonds, or building professional networks, strong social skills enable individuals to connect with others meaningfully.
2. Effective Communication: Social skills are closely tied to communication. They help individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and understand others’ perspectives. This two-way communication is vital in every aspect of life, from personal relationships to academic and professional success.
3. Navigating Social Situations: Life is full of social situations, from casual interactions to more formal settings. Social skills help individuals navigate these situations appropriately, ensuring that they can function effectively in various environments.
4. Building Self-Esteem: Positive social interactions contribute to an individual’s self-esteem. Being able to connect with others, make friends, and feel accepted fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth.
5. Conflict Resolution: Disagreements and conflicts are inevitable in any relationship. Social skills prepare individuals with the tools to resolve these conflicts in a healthy and constructive manner, preventing misunderstandings and fostering cooperation.
6. Academic and Professional Success: Social skills are increasingly recognised as a key factor in academic and professional success. In schools, students with good social skills are better able to work in teams, participate in group discussions, and engage with teachers and peers. In the workplace, these skills are essential for collaboration, leadership, and career advancement.

Given their importance, it’s easy to see why the development of social skills is a crucial aspect of growing up. However, for teens with autism, this development does not come easily.

Autism and Social Skills: The Challenges Faced by Teens

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour. For teens with autism, social skills can be particularly challenging due to the following factors:

1. Difficulty with Nonverbal Communication: Many social interactions rely on nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Teens with autism often struggle to interpret these cues, making it hard for them to understand others’ emotions or intentions. This difficulty can lead to misunderstandings and social isolation.
2. Challenges with Verbal Communication: While some teens with autism may have advanced verbal skills, others might struggle with initiating or maintaining conversations. They might find it challenging to follow the flow of a conversation, take turns speaking, or stay on topic, leading to awkward or one-sided interactions.
3. Understanding Social Norms: Social norms are the unspoken rules that govern behaviour in different settings. For example, standing too close to someone or interrupting them can be perceived as rude. Teens with autism might not easily pick up on these norms, leading to unintentional breaches of social etiquette.
4. Sensitivity to Sensory Stimuli: Many individuals with autism experience sensory sensitivities, such as being overwhelmed by loud noises or bright lights. These sensitivities can make social environments like classrooms, parties, or public spaces uncomfortable, leading teens to avoid social interactions altogether.
5. Difficulty with Empathy: Empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a crucial component of social interaction. Teens with autism may struggle with this, not because they lack concern for others, but because they find it difficult to recognise and respond to others’ emotional cues.
6. Anxiety and Social Phobia: The challenges associated with social skills can lead to anxiety and social phobia in teens with autism. The fear of making mistakes or being judged can cause them to withdraw from social situations, further hindering the development of these crucial skills.
7. Rigidity in Thinking: Many teens with autism exhibit a preference for routine and a resistance to change. This rigidity can make it difficult for them to adapt to the dynamic nature of social interactions, where flexibility and the ability to readjust one’s, behaviour are often required.

How Can You Support Teens with Autism in Developing Social Skills?

Given these challenges, how can we support teens with autism in developing the social skills they need to succeed?

1. Social Skills Training: Structured social skills training programs can be incredibly beneficial for teens with autism. These programs typically involve teaching specific skills, such as how to initiate a conversation, read nonverbal cues, or handle social rejection. Role-playing and real-life practice are often used to reinforce learning.
2. Speech and Language Therapy: For teens who struggle with verbal communication, speech and language therapy can provide valuable support. Therapists can work on improving conversational skills, understanding of social norms, and the use of language in social contexts.
3. Creating Safe Social Spaces: Schools and communities can create safe and structured social spaces where teens with autism can practice social skills without the fear of judgment. These might include social clubs, lunch groups, or after-school programs specifically designed for students with autism.
4. Parental Involvement and Support: Parents play a crucial role in helping their teens develop social skills. By modelling positive social behaviours, providing opportunities for social interaction, and offering guidance on navigating social situations, parents can be powerful advocates for their children’s social development.

Our new group therapy, Asperteens, can provide the invaluable support to develop these social skills.

Social Skills Training is a key component of Asperteens Group Therapy, where teens are taught how to initiate conversations, read nonverbal cues, and handle social rejection through role-playing and real-life practice.

Asperteens also emphasises the importance of Creating Safe Social Spaces by providing a structured environment where teens can practice these skills without fear of judgment. Finally, Parental Involvement and Support is integral to Asperteens, as parents are encouraged to model positive social behaviours and guide their teens through social interactions.

The program’s structure, which includes a weekly social get-together, ensures that skills are immediately applied, fostering both development and socialization in a supportive community.

Social skills are vital for personal development, relationship building, and success in various areas of life.

For teens with autism, developing these skills can be particularly challenging due to the unique ways in which autism affects social communication and interaction. However, with the right support—through structured therapy, like Asperteens Group Therapy, peer involvement, and a supportive environment—teens with autism can develop the social skills they need to thrive. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial in helping them build meaningful relationships and lead fulfilling lives.

Our new Asperteens Group Therapy is now available to book and will run from 15/08 until 21/11. Please reach out if you feel your teenager could benefit from developing skills for starting/ending conversations, choosing friends, using humour, get-togethers, teasing, bullying, gossiping, handling disagreements, relationships, first jobs and support after school finishes.

Group therapy may be a great fit for you, or your child, even if you’re not 100% sure at first. If it’s something you’re considering, it might be a good idea to investigate one of our groups.

Our new merger means you have more options to choose from! From Secret Agent Society to Asperteens Group Therapy.

Whatever you decide, know that making the step toward a treatment decision is something to recognize and be proud of.

Reach out today, we are here to help!

Helensvale – (07) 5551 0251

Nerang – (07) 5668 3490

Mount Gravatt – (07) 3102 1366

If you, or someone you know, require help, please reach out to organisations like Beyond Blue.

Additionally reach out to these organisations that may be able to help.

• ReachOut (youth mental health service) — online help
• SANE Australia — call 1800 187 263
• Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) — call 1800 985 944
• LifeLine 13 11 14 — for anyone in crisis

(Health Direct, 2020).

If this is an emergency, please contact 000 or visit your local emergency department.

Disclaimer: Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only and is not intended to replace advise from your doctor or registered health professional. Readers are urged to consult their registered practitioner for diagnosis and treatment for their medical concerns.