Practical Tips for Parents: Helping Your Child with Social Communication Difficulties

Social communication refers to how we interact and connect with others using words, gestures, facial expressions, and body language in social situations. It also includes understanding unspoken social rules, such as taking turns in conversation or recognizing personal space. Some children may find these skills particularly challenging, which can make it difficult to join conversations, make friends, or interpret social cues. The good news is that parents can play an active role in supporting their child’s development in this area.

Here are five practical tips to help: 

1. Model Everyday Communication 

Children learn best by observing the people around them. As a parent, you can model positive social interactions simply through your everyday communication. For example, after greeting a neighbour, you might then explain to your child, “I said hello and smiled to show them I was happy to see them.” While shopping, let your child hear you thank the cashier or politely ask for help. By narrating these moments, you draw attention to the “unwritten rules” of communication, like tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions, helping your child understand that how we say something is just as important as what we say.

2. Create Opportunities for Practice 

Give your child plenty of opportunities to interact with others through play and everyday situations. Play offers a safe, fun, and motivating environment for learning social skills. Try setting up role-play scenarios at home, such as ordering food at a pretend restaurant, asking to borrow a toy, or starting a conversation with a new friend. These playful rehearsals help make real-life interactions feel more familiar and less overwhelming.

When you're out and about, gently support your child in real situations. For example, encourage them to order their own food at a café or ask the librarian to help find a book. Start small, celebrate their efforts, and gradually increase the challenge as their confidence grows.

3. Use Visual Supports and Social Stories 

Many children with social communication difficulties benefit from clear, visual supports that show them what to do. Cue cards with simple phrases like “Can I play?” or “Your turn” can serve as helpful prompts in the moment. Visuals can also break down the steps of a social interaction—for example, how to greet someone, ask a question, and then listen to the response.

Social stories are another useful tool. These short, descriptive stories help children understand specific social situations. When personalized to your child’s experiences and perspective, they can be especially effective for preparing for new events, such as the first day of school, attending a birthday party, or joining a sports class.

These visual supports take the guesswork out of communication and provide children with a clear, reliable roadmap to follow.

4. Encourage Play and Peer Interaction

Social communication skills are essential for building and maintaining relationships. Children need to learn how to take turns, share, negotiate, and solve problems with others. One effective way to support this development is by arranging short, structured playdates with one or two peers. Smaller groups are often less overwhelming and provide a more manageable setting for practicing these skills.

Choose activities that naturally promote cooperation, such as building something together, playing board games, or doing a simple craft. Stay nearby to offer gentle guidance if needed, but try not to intervene too quickly. Giving children space to work through minor disagreements or awkward moments on their own helps build confidence and social resilience. Over time, these shared experiences can significantly strengthen your child’s ability to connect with peers and develop meaningful friendships.

Final Thoughts

Supporting a child with social communication difficulties takes patience, but every small step is meaningful. With consistent modeling, practice, and collaboration, your child can develop stronger communication skills that will help them thrive in school, friendships, and beyond.