Social interaction skills include the ways in which we use both language and non-verbal communication skills such as eye contact, facial expressions and body language to communicate and interact.
Some children can find interacting with other people difficult and there are lots of different reasons for this. Children can build on their interaction skills with support from the adults around them. Supporting communication at the right level can really help a child to learn the skills they need to communicate effectively.
What Difficulties May Look Like:
May find it difficult to start, join in and maintain conversations.
May find it difficult to understand and use non-verbal communication e.g. eye-contact, personal space, tone of voice.
May find it difficult to understand and express their own/other people’s feelings.
May not understand non-literal language e.g. jokes, idioms and metaphors.
Impact Of Difficulties:
May demonstrate behaviours that challenge.
May have difficulty making and maintaining peer relationships.
May find it difficult to join in and play with peers.
May find unstructured activities (e.g. break time) challenging.
May have difficulty adapting to new or unfamiliar situations.
Universal Strategies
Interactions
Not all pupils will need you to use all of these strategies – use the ones that are most appropriate.
Use a total communication approach – this could include spoken word, signs, gestures, photos, symbols
Use simple language that is matched to the child’s level of understanding and supported with visual prompts
Label the child's emotions (at a level that is appropriate for their understanding)
Avoid using non-literal language (e.g. idioms and metaphors)
Embed opportunities for turn-taking, intensive interaction and attention autism into the everyday routine.
Visual Supports
Use visual supports such as:
First/then for supporting attention and understanding of activities
Sand timers to show how long an activity will last and support transitions
Core boards to support adult modelling of language
Core symbols worn on lanyards.
Transitions
Support transitions by:
Creating structure within the day, including short bursts of focused activities e.g. choice time, free play, circle time
Singing songs (e.g. tidy up time, snack time)
Having a transition toy available for pupils that need to carry an object with them between activities
Having a transition picture available for children to match when they reach the next activity.
Communication
Create opportunities for communication. For example:
Store toys/equipment in clear boxes which are labelled with words/photos/symbols as appropriate. This creates an opportunity for pupils to communicate to you that they want something in that box
Offer choices as part of everyday activities (even if you know what the child wants) e.g. apple or banana, milk or water.
Adapt The Environment
Create a quiet area that pupils can access when needed e.g. dark den with blankets and cushions
Create opportunities for sensory play (e.g. sensory circuit; mini trampoline) and have sensory toys available to those children who need them
Reduce visual stimuli e.g. ensure displays are not overpowering; use a consistent background for displays around the room.
Targeted Interventions
Aims of targeted interventions could include:
For pupils to be able to make a choice between two (or more) objects or activities (this could be by pointing, reaching for or naming the chosen object or symbol).
For pupils to initiate an interaction to request or comment on something (this could be using a total communication approach which includes spoken words, pointing, gesture, symbols).
For pupils to show enjoyment and engagement, demonstrated by smiles, laughs and/or simple turn-taking with an adult during play activities when the adult is using an 'intensive interaction' approach.
For pupils to take on a designated role during Lego therapy sessions.
For pupils to show increased understanding of a social situation (e.g. playing with friends) through the use of social stories.
You can access Speech and Language support by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays).
