By Mr Divya Unni, Behavioural Therapist, Chennai

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a type of developmental delay that affects how children grow and learn. Children with ASD can have very different levels of thinking skills — some may be highly intelligent, while others may have serious learning challenges. The way ASD affects daily life also varies widely. One child might have only mild difficulties, while another may face major challenges.

Even though the effects of ASD are different for each child, all children with ASD experience delays in development. They do not usually learn social skills in the typical way and often struggle to pick up the behaviors needed to interact well with others. Researchers have identified three key areas — called the “autistic triad” — that help recognize ASD in children. These areas are the main signs of social skill difficulties in autism:

Limited peer interaction: Difficulty forming friendships and engaging with others.

Communication challenges: Trouble expressing themselves or understanding others.

Lack of imaginative play: Struggles with pretend play and flexible thinking, which are important for social development.

Social Intervention Strategies

Social intervention strategies for children with ASD include several engaging and supportive approaches. Circle of Friends fosters peer-led weekly sessions that help children build real friendships through guided interaction. Social Stories use simple text and visuals to teach children how to navigate everyday social situations, manage emotions, and respond appropriately. Music Therapy uses songs and rhymes to teach and reinforce social behaviors in a fun, memorable way, making learning both enjoyable and effective.

Everyday Tools to Build Social Skills in Children with ASD

  • Use cartoon faces to help children recognize emotions like happy, sad, or angry
  • Show real-life pictures (e.g., sports photos) and ask the child to identify emotions and explain why the person might feel that way
  • Before social activities, use pictures of children playing to discuss what they might be thinking or feeling
  • Visual schedules: Use pictures or symbols to guide children through daily routines and help them get ready for social activities
  • Teach basic conversation rules: greeting others, taking turns, using polite words, making eye contact, and keeping a comfortable distance
  • Parents and adults can help children to practice these skills regularly