Social Skills

Children and adolescents who struggle socially are often misidentified as aggressive, difficult or awkward. What these labels obscure is the possibility that these children are struggling to navigate a situation that he/she may not be prepared for. Put another way, a social interaction that comes naturally for one child, may represent a complete mystery to another, leading to a series of unanticipated and/or inappropriate reactions.

Social skills deficits may also co-occur with other disorders such as ADHD, depression, anxiety or ASD, so an accurate diagnosis will factor into the treatment approach. That said, each child is unique, and the degree and nature of the concern can vary. So identifying the problem areas that are specific to them is key to arming them with the skills they need to facilitate positive social experiences.