Nonverbal Reasoning can impact interpretation and perception of social interactions, as children may have difficulty with picking up on social nuances, may misperceive intent or an expression, and may only focus on a detail, missing the global integration of elements (e.g. tone of voice, body language, subtle hints in facial expression).
| Explain alternate viewpoints to help perceive possible options to help clarify intent by others or understand why a person did not respond well to the child. |
Example: “Joey did not intend to be mean to you, he just did not want to play that game.” “Do you think your request may have sounded more like a demand?” Thought Bubble Scenarios developed by a special needs educator |
| Provide specific language and tone to use to build friendships and reduce bluntness. | Example: Provide a compliment and/or ask a question instead of just barging into the middle of an activity: “That’s a cool idea!” “May I join you?” Mini cards with social scripts for what to say website is by a parent and advocate for autism |
| Role-play scenarios, teaching how to detect, interpret, and convey body language, tone of voice, subtle facial expressions. | Social skills role play cards developed by a play therapist |
| Engage in social activities that have a purpose or common goal to focus on while interacting, as this tends to provide more structure to a social event. | Examples of activities: building an object, a scavenger hunt, baking cookies, cleaning up a park, volunteer work |
| Use Social Apps to assist children with social scenarios. | Examples of Social Apps: |
| Teach social media etiquette. | Resources: Social media basics for high school kids Cyber etiquette for teens |
| Help the child understand that the way they present themselves impacts the way others respond to them. Videotape the child to show how s/he is presenting and to ask what might be done differently. | Examples: “Can you think of another way to approach your friend?” “Do you think changing the volume of your voice would help?” “What do you think about the way you are standing or posturing your body?” |