Do you ever notice your child hanging back in social situations? Perhaps they are extra clingy when you are all meeting new people or they refuse to leave your side when you drop them off that first day of school. Are they able to rush into that new playground that just opened or do they hang back as if they are casing the joint?
It can be tough to understand and get the hang of social skills. As adults we all have found ourselves in awkward social situations, but it is even more painful watching our children flounder. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am researching the topic of Social Skills for struggling students. I am reading the following book:
I am thoroughly enjoying it.
Certain ideas are catching my interest. According to Lavoie, in order for children to be successful socially they need to master 4 basic social skills:
1. The ability to join or enter a group
2. The ability to establish and maintain friendships
3. The ability to resolve conflicts
4. The ability to “tune in” to social skills
Children with Learning Disabilities often have trouble mastering these 4 skills because they have difficulty:
- Approaching others with sensitivity
- Reading body language
- With complex language skills- they might not be able to understand or ask for what is needed in social situations
- Putting themselves in another’s shoes
- Being empathetic
- Being flexible and responsive to others
- Attending and listening to others
Because of this, children with LD issues are often viewed as insensitive, rude, immature and self-absorbed. Unfortunately they do not understand that they give off this negative impression, impairing them even further.
I am sure your curiosity is piqued on how we can help these children manage social situations successfully.
I know that Courtney Evenchik will give us the answers we are looking for in her upcoming lecture:
Make sure to reserve a seat. Spaces are filling up fast:
A+ Solutions is pleased to invite you to an evening with Courtney Evenchik, MA, NCSP
Monday evening,
May 12
7:30-8:30pm
How to Promote Positive Social Skills in Your Child with Learning Differences
Location: Lee Road Library
2345 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118