What is Social Skills Training?
Socialization is essentially the process of teaching a human being how to live in a world with other human beings. It starts at birth withholding, eye contact, babbling & speech and continues for the rest of our lives. Whether we’re hanging out with friends, going to school, working, playing, reading or watching TV, playing sports, singing, eating. We are experiencing some aspect of socialization.
Social Skill Training for Autism
Children with autism are not averse to social interactions. They just do not have the social skills required to interact effectively. A child on the autism spectrum may need help in learning how to act in different types of social conditions. By including social skills training as a part of autism treatment, a child with autism can be supported with ways to engage with friends and to handle new social experiences. Social skills training for autism can help to enhance their communication skills and sensory integration and develop ways to build up language and cognitive skills. As part of autism treatment, social skill training is also imparted to parents and caregivers to help the child with autism achieve better results.
Social skills training (SST) is a type behavioral therapy used to help people improve social skills so they can become socially competent. SST may be used by therapists, teachers or other professionals to help those diagnosed with psychological, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, developmental disabilities, low self confidence, cognitive deficits, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD).
PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE! There is no other way to maintain or improve skills. People who have social difficulties will never improve by avoiding social situations. The skills learnt in SST must be remembered and constantly used in day to day activities. This is the only way you will overcome your social issues.