Social skills are the skills children use to communicate and interact with one another. Children use social skills in play, speaking, and working together/collaboratively with their peers and adults. There are different types of social communication; our Verbal skills which include spoken language, as well as our nonverbal skills which include body language, facial expressions, and eye contact. A child with strong social skills is able to communicate with others by having a good understanding of written and implied rules as well as utilizing acquired knowledge of how to behave in social situations. Weaknesses in this area can lead to poor academics, the inability to establish and maintain peer relationships, low self-esteem, isolation and rejection, and much more.
At EPCC our educational psychologist will work with your student to improve their overall social skill competency. Your child will gain the skills necessary to develop meaningful relationships, read social cues, utilize appropriate conversation skills, use joint attention, and much more. Additional areas worked on in social skills sessions may include:
Listening skills
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Give-and-take conversation
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Adaptability
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Making eye contact
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Expressing and understanding emotions
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Responding to interactions from others
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Taking turns
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Understanding facial expressions
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Building friendships
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Using and understanding appropriate body language
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Initiating interactions such as play, conversation, etc.
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Anger management
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Problem-solving
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Accepting consequences
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Negotiating
EPCC’s social skills sessions are not just intended for those with pragmatic disorders or on the Autism Spectrum. They would also be appropriate for any child with Anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Depression, or any other type of social-emotional challenges. Social skills sessions are developed to target specific areas of social interaction and build off one another.