How Does Occupational Therapy Support Social Skills Development in Children and Teens

Youth OT
Jul 9
2 min read

Social skills are critical for making friends, navigating group environments, and developing a strong sense of self. But for many children—especially those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or developmental delays—socialising can be confusing, overwhelming, or frustrating.

At Youth OT, we support children and teens to build confidence, connection, and communication through social skills therapy tailored to their age and stage.

Why Are Social Skills Important?

Social skills go far beyond just “playing nicely.” They include:

Reading body language and facial expressions
Taking turns in conversation or games
Understanding personal space and boundaries
Managing disagreements or emotional responses
Interpreting social cues like sarcasm or tone

Children who struggle with social skills may:

Be left out by peers
Experience anxiety or frustration in group settings
Misinterpret others' actions
Have difficulty forming or maintaining friendships

Common Social Challenges We See:

Talking only about personal interests without listening
Interrupting or “taking over” play
Becoming overly shy or withdrawn in group settings
Meltdowns or aggression when a game doesn’t go as expected
Difficulty making eye contact or interpreting facial expressions

How OT Helps Build Social Confidence

At Youth OT, we use evidence-informed strategies to teach, practise, and embed social-emotional skills in real-life scenarios.

1. Social Thinking Frameworks

We use tools like The Incredible 5-Point Scale, Zones of Regulation™, and Social Thinking™ to help children recognise feelings, read social cues, and respond flexibly.

2. Role Play & Real-Time Feedback

We simulate real-life situations (e.g., joining a game, asking for help, apologising) and coach children through them with prompts, encouragement, and corrective modelling.

3. Video Modelling

Children watch themselves or others acting out social scenarios, then reflect on body language, tone, and reactions.

4. Peer Interaction Practice

We offer group-based sessions or pairings to help practise skills with other children in a supported environment.

Parent Support and Home Strategies

We help families:

Create playdate scripts and visual supports
Understand emotional triggers and teach calming strategies
Role-play expected social behaviours before events (e.g., birthday parties)

📞 If your child is struggling socially, you’re not alone. Contact Youth OT to learn how we can support them to connect, communicate, and feel more confident in social settings.

📍 Serving families in the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and surrounding areas.

🌐 Book a consultation today: www.youth-ot.health

📞 1300 704 734