Social Communication
If you’d like to improve your confidence and ability to interact with other people in social situations, we’re happy to help!
Most of us pass through many different settings (work, school, stores, social gatherings) and talk to many different people (family members, friends, strangers, bosses, romantic interests) every day. The way we use language changes depending on where we are, and who we are talking to. Some people have trouble understanding the “unwritten rules” of social communication in these different situations, which therapy can address.
If you are doing this kind of therapy, do you still support the neurodiversity movement?
YES! All people involved in an interaction have a responsibility to understand and be accepting of other worldviews and perspectives. The burden should not be on neurodiverse people to constantly mask, or force their communication style to fit a neurotypical person’s expectations. I emphasize perspective taking in my therapy. We will discuss the perspectives of both neurotypical and neurodiverse people, and where communication breakdowns may occur. It is up to any individual to decide how they choose to communicate. There is always an emphasis on safety and bodily autonomy for all people, regardless of their social perspective. Social communication therapy should be functional, true-to-life, and empowering. Social communication therapy gives you the information you need to navigate social situations in the way that feels best for you.
Potential Therapy Targets
Perspective taking to support developing friendships and dating
Determining what someone else may be thinking or expecting in a social interaction
How to start, execute, and end a conversation if you choose to
How to self-advocate for yourself and ask questions in different settings
How to identify your own emotions, perspectives, or body sensations when socializing with others
Ways to cope with anger, frustration, or withdrawal in social situations
Therapy can include back-and-forth discussion, role-playing, and/or journaling. Going into the community to practice different skills is often a helpful component of this work. Mindfulness of your own emotions, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations is an important focus of therapy.
If you are interested in practicing your social communication, but don’t have an official medical diagnosis that is impacting you in this area, you can still work on these skills. Check out our coaching page for additional information on interpersonal coaching!
“My son really looks forward to having speech therapy! He is always engaged and eager to practice challenging sounds. I am so grateful to Alisha for helping my son with his speech.”