Convincing your teen to try a social skills group.
What a curious time it is for teens on the spectrum. Quarantine can be a bit too comfy if you’re someone dealing with social anxiety. Most teens I work with report they are lonesome, trying to find motivation to stay on tasks, and overall doing pretty okay without having to face the social obstacles of daily teen life in a typical, in-person school setting.
Parents worry about this isolation. I worry about this isolation. I believe that neurotypical teens are morphing their social skills rapidly to make up for the ever-changing pandemic norms. How can we creatively provide similar social opportunities for our teens in an approachable manner?
Finding a social skills group that is a good fit for your teen may be a start. Shifting to virtual services opens up opportunities outside of your town/city. This could be the perfect opportunity to find a group that grows your teen’s interests and friend group. Does your kid love Dungeons and Dragons? There’s a group! Do you have an artsy teen? Lego master? check, check.
If your teen is resistant to the notion of starting a social skills group, here are a few tips to help provide that friendly nudge:
Brainstorm a list of interests and/or skills they would like to expand
Search for groups together, create a top 3 list
Discuss how much time spent in a group is useful? (Looking for a weekly group vs. monthly group)
Create a plan for what a “good try” with a group looks like. It is difficult to fairly judge the merits of a group after attending once. I encourage teens to try a new group 3-5 times before making their final judgement
Prepare for success. It takes courage to try new things! Success may be the act of attending for the first group (no talking required). If the unknown is unsettling, email the facilitator to know what to expect prior to meeting.
If one group doesn’t work, keep looking! Connecting with peers is a valuable skill. If your teen gives it a good try and it’s not a good fit, model your flexible thinking and help them find another group.
If you have any questions about finding a group. Please call or email me.
Best,
Mallory
