Social Skills Training for
the ADHD Child
 For
the child with or without attention difficulties, social skills
training is invaluable. Social skills training targets a person’s
interactions with other people. It often involves role-playing
as a way to teach the child what behaviors are appropriate
in a social setting. For example, social skills training will
teach the ADHD child how to wait in line, share toys, respond
to teasing, and read other people’s expressions.
ADHD
relationship problems and social skills challenges affect
virtually every area of life, but with time and practice,
they can be improved. Social skills training can be practiced
with a parent, therapist, or other adults. In the best case
scenario, parents should allow children to practice social
skills with as many adults and children as possible, and should
enlist professional help such as psychologists and counselors.
The sooner an ADHD child receives social skills training,
the better off the child will be in school and at home. The
following are some areas where the child with ADHD may need
help in social skills training:
- Watch a group of peers.
Learn how to observe their behavior and evaluate if a
group is appropriate.
- Monitor personal behavior.
Be friendly and approachable. Keep a calm demeanor and
low tone of voice.
- Wait for a break in
the conversation before speaking. Try to let others finish
what they’re saying before you speak.
- Think about the feelings
of other people. Be careful about teasing, bragging, criticizing,
or making jokes at the expense of other people.
- Learn about personal
space. Strangers and casual acquaintances might feel uncomfortable
with someone else standing too close or touching their
possessions.
While social
skills do not always come naturally for any child, including
the ADHD child, these skills can be learned and incorporated
into everyday life. When a child sees the positive results
of good social skills, it will reinforce those skills and
encourage the child to learn more conventional behavior. Good
social skills also provide a wonderful, positive boost for
ADHD self esteem issues.
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