It is not uncommon for children and teenagers to occasionally face difficulties or discomfort in response to a particular a social environment or situation. However, for some children, problems with social skills impact their social development and self-esteem, and can carry over to their academic performance as well. Social skills describe a broad range of abilities – some of which, as an adult, you may carry out with ease and take for granted.
Every child has strengths and weaknesses within their social skill set, and some children require more support than others to develop these skills. If you are concerned about your child’s social development, they may fall anywhere on the spectrum – from extreme shyness and social anxiety, to hyperactive and disruptive behavior. Social skills are crucial to all aspects of an individual’s development. Throughout all stages of a person’s life, friendships and other close relationships promote mental and physical wellbeing. In particular, friendships in childhood are an integral part of how we develop intellectually and emotionally. Children who are equipped with good social skills, are more likely to be self-confident and excel in the classroom.
If you child is struggling socially, they may have difficulty with some of the following:
If your child needs assistance with social skills, seek help from a psychologist. If you recognise any of the following signs above, and believe the problem has begun to severely affect your child’s functioning at home or school, an assessment may be needed to determine whether the difficulties are the result of condition such as Autism or ADHD.
Not only will our practitioners provide emotional support for you and your child, they will also:
