• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 69 subscribers
  • Views 1202 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Our teenage autistic daughter is finding social interaction very hard, help please!

NAS94448

Hi everyone

Our 15 year old daughter was diagnosed when she was about 8 years old. She has had great SENCO support throughout her education and at primary school was able - to a degree - to form good friendships. However, since she went to secondary school her ability to interact socially and form friendships has become really hard for her. 

She tells us that she just doesn't know how to talk to others and she holds back because she is afraid of being judged by her peers and ostracised. There is a SENCO at the school and we are in regular contact with her, but everything they are trying to help her is not really working. It means she is left out of most activities and doesn't engage with the school or her peer group in any meaningful way. 

We chatted with R about this the other evening and suggested maybe she could talk to a therapist / counsellor about this outside of the school environment and she was amenable to this suggestion. 

I'd love to hear from other parents in the community that are dealing with this challenge and get suggestions on what other forms of support might be available and have proved helpful for you,

Thanks for listening!

Nick

Parents

  • HI Nick - I cant really help but just to say I have the same problem with my 14yo son. Probably less extreme but a version of the same. He is popular in 121 situations but in groups it just doesn't work. Is unable to work out the social engineering that goes on etc etc, and so withdraws - especially in sporting teams.

    One thing we did this summer holiday is make him join the local junior gym (he is quite sporty). This wasnt really to get fitter but to do something independently with an idea of meeting casual peers and having something to talk about. This has partially been a success. Bumped into a few school peers, and had a couple of conversations at rugby training with some of the 'social dominators'. He didnt want to go, but we got there and after a few visits its become a bit of a habit he somewhat enjoys.

Reply

  • HI Nick - I cant really help but just to say I have the same problem with my 14yo son. Probably less extreme but a version of the same. He is popular in 121 situations but in groups it just doesn't work. Is unable to work out the social engineering that goes on etc etc, and so withdraws - especially in sporting teams.

    One thing we did this summer holiday is make him join the local junior gym (he is quite sporty). This wasnt really to get fitter but to do something independently with an idea of meeting casual peers and having something to talk about. This has partially been a success. Bumped into a few school peers, and had a couple of conversations at rugby training with some of the 'social dominators'. He didnt want to go, but we got there and after a few visits its become a bit of a habit he somewhat enjoys.

Children
No Data