Each one of us is communicating non-verbally throughout the day. It may be through a gesture, a look, or something you don’t even recognize you’re doing. The ability to read body language, facial expressions, changes in tone, and other non-verbal signals is a crucial aspect of communication.
Many children learn to translate those signals naturally, while others need support. Applied Behavioral Therapy (ABA) is a therapeutic modality that helps individuals learn positive behaviors. ABA is commonly used to help patients develop social skills through practice. While there’s likely no doubt that kids should learn social skills, here are some reasons these skills are so important.
Help Your Child Communicate Effectively
Imagine standing in a group of people and only being able to understand a small portion of what was being communicated. Much of our interpersonal communication takes place without words, and the inability to pick up cues may make it difficult to participate fully. When children develop communication skills at a young age, it sets them up for greater success as they get older. Beyond making friends, they’ll be able to communicate with teachers, administrators, and future employers.
Foster Your Child’s Empathy
The ability to read others’ emotions through their facial expressions and body language is part of being an attentive friend. When we can translate a heavy sigh or a friend tearing up and understand they may feel sad or frustrated, we can be more empathetic. That empathy may even change how we respond or modulate our tone of voice. Knowing how to respond appropriately in a given emotional setting can be helpful in forging strong friendships.
Learning social skills not only helps kids communicate more effectively but also gives them more self-confidence, making them more likely to engage with their peers. Each person is different and has a unique way of looking at the world. ABA therapy can target skills your child needs to learn to help them be the best communicator they can be.
Common Social Cues Addressed In ABA Therapy
Eye Contact – Looking someone in the eye when you’re speaking with them is seen as a sign of respect and makes it clear that you are paying attention to what they’re saying. For some people, making eye contact can feel very uncomfortable.
Complex Facial Expressions – Your child may recognize that smiles are happy and frowns are sad. But what about those complicated facial expressions like a smile with sad eyes or a frown that is made in jest? People with autism may have trouble deciphering the intricacies of facial expressions.
Tone Or Volume Of Voice – We can say a lot with our voices beyond the words we are speaking. A person’s tone or volume can convey meaning like sarcasm, frustration, or excitement.
Body Language – Someone may speak as though they’re interested in interaction but give physical cues like looking at their watch or glancing around the room that say otherwise. Body language can also tell us if we’re invading someone’s personal space or help us understand how someone is reacting to what we’re sharing with them.
Struggles with social cues are especially common in neurodivergent children with ADHD or autism. Social skills are often a core element of their therapy because we know that communicating easily helps people navigate the world around them. Parents and other adults can help children understand social cues by modeling acceptable behaviors, but ultimately, ABA and other therapies tend to be most effective.
Understanding the unspoken rules of social interactions is so helpful for children and adults. If you have a child who struggles to make sense of social cues, we can help. Not only do we offer therapies to help, but we also offer virtual assessments for ADHD and autism to ensure your child gets the support they need. Contact us today to learn more.