Why are socials so important to autistic and neurodiverse kids?

As parents, we hear the word over & over again - social. In the ‘formal world,’ autistic and neurodiverse kids have social skills deficits. In our world, neurotypical people have some pretty confusing social skills & deficits themselves! So, why are socials so important to autistic and neurodiverse kids?

Finding our tribe/crew is what it’s all about. As adults we know we’re at our best when our needs are met - feeling supported, having our efforts recognised & valued, knowing that we’ve had a positive effect on our friends & family, the list goes on… It’s no different for kids & teens. 

Socials for neurodiverse peers are extremely important. Our kids are able to converse their way, interact their way, have their own safe community, and belong in a way they aren’t necessarily able to do in schools or other environments. 

Neurodiverse Social Peer Groups at Spectrum Styles

There is no judgement with our neurodiverse social peer groups. No one questions why they don’t say hello sometimes, or if they go straight to their safe place, or if they don’t talk for 10 minutes, or if they start a serious in-depth conversation about anime, marvel, Minecraft, physics, D&D, Stranger Things or any other topic  -  all while looking somewhere else. Most of all, no one is bullying kids, no one is judging and mean, and no one is staring or talking about differences.

Peer social groups are safe environments to unmask, to talk about what has happened during their day, to connect & bond with peers on a level that others don’t get, to talk about their daily & life experiences together, to laugh & have fun. Oh, and Rick Roll. Always the Rick Roll! 

The Joy of Socialising for Neurodiverse Kids

If you haven’t witnessed the pure joy of a neurodiverse social group and the power acceptance and belonging to a group has to transform mental health, then give us a call or pop through an email. 

There’s nothing we love more than sharing the joy of acceptance & belonging!