Short Description:
Teach social interaction, emotional understanding, and eye contact through visuals, routines, and real-world practice—ideal for mild to moderate autism.
When my son was diagnosed with autism, I thought the hardest part would be the speech delay.
It wasn’t.
It was realizing that he wanted to connect — to play, to bond, to be part of things — but just didn’t always know how.
The social world that comes naturally to other kids was like learning a foreign language for him.
Eye contact didn’t come easily. Taking turns felt unnatural. And reading emotions? That took years of gentle practice.
If you’re a parent walking this same path, this guide is for you — from one dad to another.
What Are Social and Emotional Skills?
Social and emotional skills help kids:
- Make and maintain friendships
- Understand their own feelings
- Respond to the feelings of others
- Solve conflicts
- Take turns, share, and play cooperatively
- Adapt to different social settings (home, school, public places)
For many neurotypical children, these develop gradually through play and observation.
But for kids with autism — especially high-functioning or mild to moderate autism — these need to be explicitly taught through visuals, practice, and step-by-step support.
Free Resources: Social Skills for Autism (PDFs & Printables)
We found that visuals work better than words.
So early on, I started printing simple charts and routines:
- A list of social skills for autism (PDF) that included things like “saying hi,” “waiting,” “asking for help,” etc.
- Emotion flashcards with real faces (happy, sad, scared, excited)
- Turn-taking games with visual cues
- Feelings charts to help him point instead of guess what he was feeling
You can find many free social skills lessons for autism online — or [download them from this blog] where I’ve compiled the ones that worked for us.
Real-Life Practice: Social Interaction Examples
Here are some small wins that took a lot of behind-the-scenes work:
- Teaching him to say “hi” and wave at the school gate
- Practicing eye contact with “look at my nose” instead of “look in my eyes”
- Playing emotion charades after dinner
- Practicing “what to do when someone says no” through roleplay
Every success came from practice, not pressure.
And we made it fun. We turned social rules into games — and routines into confidence.
What Is Social Emotional Learning in Autism?
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an evidence-based approach to help children:
- Recognize and manage emotions
- Build relationships
- Show empathy
- Make decisions and solve problems
In autism, SEL needs to be simplified and repeated often — usually supported by:
- Visual supports (emotion wheels, choice boards)
- Modeling by parents or therapists
- Predictable routines for interactions
- Safe spaces to express emotions (like a calm-down corner)
Social Skills Groups for Autism
I’ll admit — at first I was scared to take him to a group setting.
Would he get overwhelmed? Would he be ignored?
But joining a social skills group for autism near me was a game changer.
He practiced:
- Taking turns
- Following group rules
- Roleplaying conversations
- Handling teasing and rejection (with therapist support)
These groups are often run by speech therapists or occupational therapists, and can be found at:
- Local autism centers
- Schools
- Therapy clinics
- Community resource centers
If your child is verbal and mildly autistic, it can be one of the most helpful interventions.
Autism and Social Skills in Adults
If you’re parenting a teen or adult child with autism, the need for social support doesn’t stop.
There are excellent social skills for adults with autism (PDFs) available — many focused on:
- Workplace etiquette
- Handling stress or sensory overload
- Understanding sarcasm or body language
- Navigating relationships
You might also explore:
- Autism-friendly job training centers
- Online groups for autistic adults
- Social events for neurodivergent individuals
Let’s not forget: Autistic adults also crave connection — just in ways that make sense to them.
Evidence-Based Social Skills Interventions for Autism
Not all advice is created equal. Some things just didn’t work for us.
Here are evidence-based social skills interventions that helped:
- Social Stories™: Simple, personalized stories that teach what to expect in different situations (e.g. “Going to the dentist”)
- Video modeling: Watching short clips of someone doing the correct behavior (e.g. greeting someone)
- PEERS® Program: A structured group-based social skills training model for teens and young adults
- Play-based therapy: Learning through guided play with therapists or parents
Ask your child’s therapist or school counselor what evidence-based programs are available in your area.
Final Words from This Autism Dad
I don’t care if my son ever becomes the life of the party.
What I care about is that he feels safe, seen, and confident enough to connect — in his own way.
That he can say “I’m sad” instead of melting down.
That he can ask a friend to play — or be okay playing alone.
That he understands his feelings, even if he doesn’t always want to talk about them.
Social and emotional skills don’t come quickly.
They come through patience, modeling, and practice.
But every small step is a win worth celebrating.
You’re not failing if it takes time.
You’re teaching them something priceless.
Downloadable Resources:
[List of Social Skills for Autism PDF] [Emotion Cards & Social Story Templates] [Free Social Skills Lessons Toolkit]
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