Facilitating friendships and peer interactions

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If the main area of support you are seeking is for friendships, please note speech and language therapy are not the main supporting service in this area. Here are some resources you may find helpful, as well as information about other relevant services who may be better placed to support your child.  

To support your child in a neurodiverse affirming way, check with them about their desire for friendships, and appreciate how friendships look different for neurodivergent individuals. 

Who is this advice for?  

The following resources may be useful for children and young people who have a diagnosis of autism / on the waiting list for an autism assessment / or who associate with being autistic. It might also be helpful for children who present with social communication differences but do not necessarily associate with being autistic.

How will this advice support my child? 

These resources are designed to: 

  • develop your understanding and acceptance of social communication and interaction differences
  • provide advice on how to support your child to establish connections and friendships. 

 

Advice

Facilitate friendships

Webinar: Facilitating friendships  

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'Facilitating friendships': Watch this 7 minute webinar to learn how to support your child to develop friendships.

Download the 'Facilitating friendships' advice sheet: Learn how to support children with social communication differences (including children who are autistic) to establish connections with peers in a way that is respectful of their differences and their preferences. 

Support your child to connect with others during play

Webinar: Facilitating play with peers  

    

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'Facilitating play with peers': Learn how to help your child to connect with others during play. 

'Facilitating play with peers' advice sheet: Read this advice sheet to learn how to help your child to connect with others during play. Remember, it is important that we understand, value and accept all play styles (and communication styles!).

Support and accept different play styles

Webinar : Understanding and supporting different play styles   

  

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'Understanding and supporting different play styles': Watch this 6 minute webinar to learn to understand and support different play styles. And, how to support others to value your child’s play styles and preferences.

Read 'Understanding and supporting different play styles' advice sheet: Read this advice sheet to understand and support different play styles. And, how to support others to value your child’s play styles and preferences.

Further support

Browse LEANS Curriculum: LEANS is a selection of pre-made lesson plans to implement which support neurodiversity.  There is a friendships/relationships section. For schools to implement for children between 8 to 11 years of age.  

Browse NEST (NEurodivergent peer Support Toolkit):  This resource is a suite of materials to facilitate peer support for neurodivergent young people in mainstream secondary schools. 

The article on friendships on Autism Misunderstood is for the young person to read. This describes what is a friendship, making friends and what makes a good friend.   

SPACE / ADD-Vance / Potential Kids activities: local organisations to develop connections with like-minded peers with shared interests.

Neurodiversity Support: the Neurodiversity Support Hub is an advice service offering support, signposting and guidance about a whole range of things relating to autism. The phones are answered by a team of parents and carers of neurodivergent children and YP and your child/YP doesn't need a diagnosis for you to use this service.  

They might be able to signpost you to local clubs or groups relating to your child or young person's interests.

How can we help you?

  1. Work with us
  2. Our services
  3. Children's services
  4. Adult services
  5. Make a referral