Social Communication Skills
Helping kids connect, play, and thrive
Social communication is more than just talking — it’s how children share ideas, make friends, and take part in daily life. It includes things like using eye contact and body language, starting and keeping conversations going, taking turns, joining play, understanding jokes or sarcasm, and knowing what’s expected in different situations.
Some kids pick these skills up naturally, while others need a little extra support. That’s where Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists come in.
Signs Your Child May Need Support
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Trouble starting or keeping conversations going.
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Difficulty understanding tone of voice, facial expressions, or personal space.
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Prefers to play alone or has trouble joining group activities.
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Gets into conflicts with peers because of misunderstandings.
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Very literal thinking (struggles with jokes, sarcasm, or hidden meanings).
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Strong reactions to changes in routine, waiting, or small problems.
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Children may misread social situations, come across as “bossy” or “out of sync,” or have trouble forming and keeping friendships.
Why This Matters?
Strong social communication skills help children:
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Make and keep friends
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Participate more fully in school and community activities
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Build resilience and confidence
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Handle challenges and changes with more ease
How Occupational & Speech Therapy Work Together
Our team takes a whole-child approach. While every child is different, here’s how we often help:
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Building Social Connections – practicing greetings, turn-taking, sharing, and how to join play or conversations.
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Understanding Other's Perspectives - Perspective-taking means understanding that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas that may be different from our own. It helps kids figure out:
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“What might my friend be thinking?”
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“How would they feel if I said or did this?”
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“Why did the teacher ask us to work this way?
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Understanding Cues – teaching kids to notice facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language.
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Flexible Thinking & Problem-Solving – learning what to do when plans change, how to compromise, and how to work through small disagreements.
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Self-Regulation Strategies – calming tools, movement breaks, and sensory supports so kids can stay engaged and comfortable.
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Confidence in Communication – role-playing conversations, group work, and games so skills transfer into real-life settings.
By combining Occupational Therapy’s focus on regulation, play, and participation with Speech Therapy's expertise in language and social interaction, we give children the tools to not only talk with others, but also to feel confident, flexible, and connected in their daily lives.
What Therapy Looks Like
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One-on-one sessions to introduce and practice new skills.
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Small groups to role-play and try out skills with peers.
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We offer Lego Therapy groups throughout the year:
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LEGO® Therapy is a fun, group-based approach where children take on roles (Builder, Engineer, Supplier) to work together and complete a model. It helps kids practice turn-taking, listening, giving instructions, problem-solving, and perspective-taking — all while doing something motivating and enjoyable. By building together, children strengthen the very skills they need for conversations, teamwork, and friendships.
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In-class or playground coaching to make strategies work in real settings.
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Parent and teacher support so strategies are carried over at home and school.
Our services are available in-clinic, at home, in schools, and through virtual sessions, ensuring accessibility for all families.