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Resources  | Social communication, interaction and play

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?  

Webinars

Top tips for developing social interaction webinar!

  • Watch a free 12-minute webinar
  • Learn about JOIN! (join, observe, imitate, naturally model language)
  • For parents/carers, setting staff and health professionals
  • Aimed at supporting children who are autistic or who have social interaction and communication differences

Please note captions are available by clicking on the square box with lines at the bottom.

 

 This handy postcard summarises the JOIN strategies for you

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SAY, SHOW, WAIT - Top tips for developing social communication webinar!

  • Watch a free, short webinar (click on the image below)
  • Learn about the strategies SAY, SHOW and WAIT
  • Learn to support a child by giving them opportunities to develop their communication
  • Learn how to help a child to develop the ways they communicate
  • Suitable for parents/carers, setting staff and health professionals

 

Celebrating autistic neurodivergence

Understand, accept and celebrate neurodivergent communication in autistic children and children with social communication and interaction differences.

Online resources available to support with social communication

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.

Charities

  • ADD-vance – Autism and ADHD trust. Support groups, training and coaching. 
  • Space 

General support

  • SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)