Social Skills training Archives

Supporting Autism Through After-School Activities Program

Written by Sook Wah Chew on January 14, 2025. Posted in Others, Social Skills training, Tips for Parents.

Children with autism often require ongoing support even after attending school, whether in a mainstream or special needs setting. Schools primarily help children adapt to structured group learning environments and develop academic skills. However, teachers may not have the time to focus on helping children build social skills, problem-solving skills, conversation skills, time management, or independent skills. As a result, many children with autism benefit from continued assistance to address these areas. Our after-school activities program is suitable for most of the children with autism. Why Continued Support is Crucial As children with autism progress, they encounter new challenges that require specialized support: Conversation Skills: Engaging in meaningful, two-way communication. Problem-Solving Skills: Navigating everyday challenges effectively. Conflict Management: Resolving disagreements and understanding perspectives. Time Management: Planning and organizing...

Inside a training Session: How Kidz Steps Centre Empowers Teens with Special Needs to Build Social Skills

Written by Sook Wah Chew on January 12, 2025. Posted in Social Skills training.

At Kidz Steps Centre, we specialize in special needs teen social skills training designed to help teenagers with special needs overcome social challenges. These sessions are tailored for teenagers currently studying in mainstream schools but struggle to make friends. Through ongoing, structured training, we aim to equip them with the skills needed to form meaningful friendships and prepare for the social demands of adulthood. Our social skills training covers various areas and explores important social topics relevant to teenagers. Here’s an example of a typical session: 1. Starting with Conversation Skills Training Our sessions begin with conversation skills training, a fundamental aspect of special needs teen social skills training. One of the topics we teach is how to make “smart guesses” about someone they’ve just met to initiate a conversation. By observing details like gender, age, and appearance, participants brainstorm appropriate and engaging topic starters. For...

Not Just Naughty or Lazy: Unpacking ADHD in Children

Written by Sook Wah Chew on November 4, 2024. Posted in Others, Social Skills training.

ADHD is often more difficult to detect than other diagnoses because it can be confused with laziness or misbehavior. Parents frequently report that their children seem to do well at times, or that they behave perfectly when faced with punishment. The symptoms are not always obvious, and many children may exhibit similar behaviors. Here are some tips for parents to distinguishing between ADHD and laziness. Underlying cause for ADHD Laziness: “I don’t want to do it.” Laziness is typically viewed as a lack of motivation or willingness to engage in activities or complete tasks. It may stem from factors like boredom, disinterest, or a desire to avoid effort. In contrast, a lazy child may readily engage in activities or complete tasks they find enjoyable or interesting. ADHD: “I can’t do it.” ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. These symptoms are not simply a matter...

The Benefits of Social Skills Training for Children with Special Needs

Written by Sook Wah Chew on October 19, 2024. Posted in Social Skills training, Tips for Parents.

Social skills are essential for children’s emotional development, fostering meaningful relationships, and preparing for independence. For children with special needs, social skills may not develop naturally, and structured support becomes crucial. Social skills training offers targeted interventions to help children with special needs thrive in social environments. Below, we explore the key benefits of social skills training and the different ways it supports children with special needs. Enhances Communication Skills One of the primary goals of social skills training is to improve communication. Many children with special needs struggle to initiate conversations, interpret social cues, or maintain dialogue. Through training, children learn: How to engage in conversations with appropriate personal space, listening actively, and using appropriate responses. The ability to ask and answer questions such as ‘who,’, ‘when’, ‘what,’ and ‘where.’ How to recognize and respond...

Parenting Tips: The Struggles of Encouraging Play and Social Skills in Autism

Written by Sook Wah Chew on September 24, 2024. Posted in Social Skills training, Tips for Parents.

For parents of children with autism, fostering play and social skills can be a challenging and often misunderstood process. Many parents believe that simply providing opportunities for their child to interact with typical children—such as sending them to kindergarten, group classes, or family gatherings—will naturally improve their social abilities. However, this well-meaning approach often falls short, especially for children with moderate to severe autism. The Misconception of Learning Through Exposure Parents often hope that placing their autistic child in a typical social environment will lead to improvements in socialization and play skills. While this might work for children who are high-functioning or on the mild end of the autism spectrum. It overlooks the fact that most autistic children lack the ability to learn purely from exposure or observation. Children with high-functioning autism may be able to pick up social cues and behaviors by watching and interacting...

Empowering Teens with Special Needs: Our Social Skills Training Program

Written by Sook Wah Chew on September 3, 2023. Posted in Social Skills training.

In a world that thrives on social connections and interactions, it’s crucial to ensure that every teenager, regardless of their unique abilities, has the opportunity to develop essential social skills. At Kidz Steps Centre, we understand the significance of nurturing these skills in teenager with special needs, and that’s why we’re proud to introduce our specialized Social Skills Training Program. Why Social Skills Matter for Teens with Special Needs Adolescence is a critical time for personal growth and development, especially when it comes to social skills. For teens with special needs, these skills can be even more vital, as they provide a foundation for building relationships, improving self-esteem, and fostering independence. Our Social Skills Training Program is designed to address the specific needs of these exceptional teenagers. We believe that every individual deserves the chance to thrive socially and create meaningful connections. Here’s...