Social communication and interaction
What do we mean by social communication and interaction?
Social communication is the exchange of ideas or information between individuals. Children who have difficulties with social communication may:
- struggle to understand what others are trying to communicate to them,
- struggle to successfully communicate with other people,
- communicate using speaking or non-speaking methods of communication, such as using body movements, eye contact, facial expression, body language, echoed phrases, words or changing the tone of their voice, and / or
- need support to learn new ways of communicating.
Social interaction is engaging with others to form social relationships which are reciprocal, involving some give and take. Children with social interaction difficulties may:
- find it hard to understand the thoughts, feelings and motivations of other people, and
- often struggle with forming successful friendships.
What can I do to help my child?
JOIN — Top tips for developing social interaction webinar.
- Watch a free 12-minute webinar
- Learn about JOIN strategies
- Learn ways to get interactions going with autistic children or children with social communication needs
- Suitable for parents/carers, setting staff and health professionals.
Please note captions are available by clicking on "cc"
This handy postcard summarises the JOIN strategies for you
Celebrating autistic neurodivergence – Understand, accept and celebrate neurodivergent communication in autistic children and children with social communication and interaction differences.
Strategy advice sheets are available below.
Social interaction
Social communication
For children and young people who are using phrases or sentences to communicate
Accessing learning and coping with change
Online resources available to support with social communication
- Hanen have lots of videos and talks all about supporting communication and interaction on YouTube:
- Hanen advice sheets on a range of topics to support your child’s interaction, play, communication and more
- Comic Strips Conversations use with older children and young people to support social interaction, friendships and perspective taking, with a helpful explanation sheet.
Online resources about autism
- National Autistic Society
- SCERTS – a research-based educational approach and multidisciplinary framework that directly addresses the core challenges faced by children and persons with ASD and related disabilities, and their families.
- The Ambitious about Autism toolkit — a downloadable booklet we recommend looking at if you think your child has autism, if they have recently been diagnosed, if you want to find out more about education, health and care Plans or if you want to find out more about what autism is.
