Social Skills
friendship and perspective taking
The Roman philosopher Seneca noted that a true quality of friendship is the ability to understand and be understood. At Speech at the Beach we believe that the ability to take the perspective of others is central to understanding the hidden social rules that we all must live by but are rarely taught. Friendship is about more than sharing common interests. It also requires the ability to consider how a situation might impact upon another person and adjust one's behaviour appropriately with that in mind.
successfully being part of a group is a skill
At any age there is an art to social interaction which goes beyond the ability to understand and use words. Saying too much, saying too little or remembering to be relevant and accurate are common difficulties that can be addressed through careful teaching of strategies and the raising of awareness through video modelling. Holding a conversation is an art that can be practised and learned. Similarly, there are strategies that can be put in place to help people keep calm, co-operate with others, increase empathy, respect personal boundaries and manage conflicts in social situations.
Helping clients come out of their shell
For those who have difficulties understanding how others see the world, including people with a diagnosis of Autism, social anxiety is common. Even where symptoms are apparently mild, that very mildness can make the social and emotional consequences of the disorder more severe. By outlining expected types of behaviour and raising awareness of social norms, clients can learn to experience the world with less uncertainty. Additionally, by recognising and practising how to think with greater flexibility, new situations can become less confronting.