Higher level strategies to support social understanding

Many young people with social communication differences have difficulty understanding and interpreting body language, facial expressions, gesture and tone of voice. They also have difficulty understanding what others may be thinking or feeling, and understanding non-literal language that is reliant on ‘reading between the lines’.

These young people need adult support to understand others in interactions, and to develop strategies to support their understanding when socialising, and when in education or employment.

Visual support

• Use comic strip conversations to draw out sequences when recapping on events and stories.
• Use social stories to teach what is expected in a particular situation, event or activity and why. They can be used to develop:
• • self-care, social and academic skills
  • understanding of why people might behave or respond in a certain situation
  • ability to cope with changes to routines or unexpected events
  • self-esteem and provide positive feedback
  • behavioural strategies, for example, what to do when angry

• Use visual supports for conversation ideas

Strategies

• Say exactly what you mean by using factual, explicit and literal language, for example, “you’ve got lots of energy today”, “walk please”.
• Avoid language that requires them to ‘read between the lines’, for example, “you’re full of beans”, “don’t run”.
• Encourage the young person to say when they don’t understand a phrase, for example, if someone uses an idiom such as ‘you hit the nail on the head’.
• Avoid using jokes, slang, sarcasm and ‘banter’ without a simple explanation – these may be interpreted literally.
• Provide a running commentary of what other people are probably thinking and feeling, and the signs that you can see to help them understand, for example, “Tom looks frustrated because he is frowning and his fists are clenched”.
• Explain things from the other person’s point of view using simple language, do not assume that they know.
• Give the young person examples of things they can say during conversations when the time is right, for example, a question, a comment.
• If they are becoming agitated or withdrawing from the interaction, give them some space. You have probably overestimated their emotional availability for learning, ability to understand and remember what you are saying.
• Understand that when they go ‘off topic’ to talk about their special interest(s), that this may be a manifestation of anxiety or feeling overwhelmed and or a sign that they don’t understand. They might need additional help to understand what you are saying.