Overcome Social Deficits in Autism
Play Therapy, Social Stories, and Social Skills Groups
Social quirks are a core deficit of individuals on the autism spectrum. Through the use of facilitated social therapies these individuals can overcome these issues.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) currently affect 1 in 150 children in the United States. One of the hallmarks of an ASD is a deficit in social interactions. Social deficits can include a lack of joint attention, the inability to participate in a reciprocal conversation, and aloofness when it comes to interacting with peers in an age-appropriate manner. Helping children on the autism spectrum learn social skills can be a tremendous boon to their self-confidence and ultimately to their development.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is beneficial to children on the autism spectrum who are working through deficits in social interaction. Simple imaginative and symbolic play is something that does not come naturally to most children on the autism spectrum. Working with a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) helps the child learn these basic skills in a nonthreatening manner.
From the Association for Play Therapy United States website, “play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children.” Registered Play Therapists work with the child and the parents to introduce the foundations of social play and then help the child implement what they’ve learned into real-life settings. Play therapy is most beneficial for children between the ages of three and 12.
Social Stories
Another inventive way to help individuals on the autism spectrum cope with social interactions is through the use of Social Stories. Social Stories were created by Carol Gray in 1991. A description of a Social Story taken from The Gray Center website, “Social Story™ describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story™ is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience.”
Caregivers use Social Stories to prepare an individual with autism about an upcoming event and how the child should behave in the situation. Examples of situations in which a Social Story would be appropriate include preparing the child for a new therapy/therapist, explaining a holiday celebration, and helping the child transition from activity to activity.
Social Skills Groups
Social skills groups, often-times led by speech-language pathologists, allow the child to play with peers in a controlled and guided setting. Some social skills groups are made up entirely of individuals on the autism spectrum (grouped by age and level of function) and others have typically-developing peers that stand in as role models. A different theme and set of rules is implemented for each session.
Session one may have children playing with a castle and a ship. Two to three children are responsible for activities surrounding the castle and another two to three utilize the ship. Not only must the children build upon each other’s play themes, the facilitator of the group also encourages the two groups of children to interact with each other. If a child goes off alone, he is guided back to the group. Social skills groups are a great way to help children who have been through play therapy implement what they have learned in a controlled environment.
These three unique ways to address the social deficits seen in individuals on the autism spectrum have proven to produce great results by helping those with autism overcome social hurdles.
Sources:
Association for Play Therapy United States
The Gray Center
