When a child has autism, connecting with peers can feel confusing or painful. Play dates stall, group activities end in tears, and parents start to worry that friendships may never come easily.
Social skills develop over time, and many kids need more than “just exposure” to learn how to join in. Structured social skills training autism programs give children clear coaching and lots of practice, so relationships feel safer and more predictable.
At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, ABA therapists design social goals that match each child’s age, personality, and learning style for families in Cary, Phoenix, Wilmington, Clayton, and nearby communities.
Why social skills feel hard for many autistic children
Autism affects how children read cues, process language, and understand what other people expect. That often shows up during play and group time.
Many families notice that their child:
- Prefers to play alone or repeats favorite activities instead of joining others
- Wants friends but “freezes” or uses scripts that do not fit the moment
- Struggles with turn taking, sharing, or waiting
- Misreads facial expressions, tone of voice, or personal space
The University of Kansas highlights how social communication differences can limit participation in class, clubs, and community activities in its overview on autism communication.
Autism social development is not about changing who a child is. Social training for autism focuses on giving kids tools so they can:
- Express what they want and need
- Understand others more clearly
- Feel more confident around peers
What social skills training autism programs focus on
Research on social skills training autism programs shows that structured teaching can improve how children engage, problem solve, and maintain friendships.
Most programs target skill areas such as:
- Joining play and staying with a group
- Greetings, eye contact, and body language at a level that feels comfortable
- Conversation turn taking and topic changes
- Handling teasing, misunderstandings, or mistakes
- Managing big feelings during social situations
AFIRM describes social skills interventions as step by step teaching that includes modeling, role play, and real world practice.
Cardinal’s dedicated Social Skills Training services build these abilities through play, modeling, and guided interaction that fit each child’s developmental stage.
How ABA therapy structures social training for autism
In ABA, ABA therapy social skills goals sit inside a larger plan for communication, behavior, and independence. Board Certified Behavior Analysts break social goals into small, teachable steps, then track progress over time.
Social skills training usually happens in two main formats:
- One to one sessions that introduce new skills
- Group social skills autism sessions that allow practice with peers
The In-Clinic ABA Therapy environment gives children a structured, supportive space for this kind of practice.
One to one ABA: building foundations for interaction
In individual sessions, therapists slow social situations down so children can understand and rehearse them.
Sessions might include:
- Practicing simple greetings with a therapist
- Using visual supports to plan out a play routine
- Role playing what to say when a peer takes a turn or suggests a new game
- Using reinforcement to celebrate every step toward interaction
The Parent Guide to ABA Therapy at Cardinal explains how these individualized goals fit within a broader treatment plan and how parents can follow progress.
One to one work also leaves room for sensory breaks and coping strategies, which keeps social behavior therapy autism friendly and respectful of each child’s nervous system.
Group social skills autism sessions: practicing with peers
Once a child has some foundation skills, group work offers a safe place to try them with other kids.
ABA based groups often include:
- Circle time with greetings and sharing
- Cooperative games that require turn taking and problem solving
- Guided conversation practice with clear visual supports
- Feedback and specific praise that highlight what went well
Peer mediated models, where therapists coach peers to include and respond to autistic children, can further boost autism peer interaction support as described in resources from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.
Cardinal’s family and group offerings, described in the ABA group therapy overview, combine games, stories, and structured play so social training for autism feels fun, not forced.
Real life examples of skills targeted in social skills training
Parents often ask what “social skills” actually looks like in a session. In Cardinal’s programs, therapists work on everyday interaction, not polished scripts.
Common goals for improving social skills in autistic children include:
- Play and cooperation
- Sharing materials and taking turns
- Joining a game that is already in progress
- Accepting small changes in rules or routines
- Conversation and connection
- Starting a conversation with a peer
- Staying on topic for a few turns
- Asking simple follow up questions
- Understanding others
- Noticing basic facial expressions
- Matching voice volume to the setting
- Respecting personal space and boundaries
Social Stories also help children rehearse tricky situations, like asking to join a group or handling “no” from a peer, before they happen in real life, as described in Social Stories in ABA Therapy.
Bringing social skills into school and community
Families do not want skills that only show up in the therapy room. ABA teams plan for generalization so children can use new social tools at school, in the neighborhood, and during family activities.
Therapists often:
- Coordinate with teachers and IEP teams
- Share simple strategies that fit into the school day
- Use classroom like activities during in clinic sessions
For older children and teens, social behavior therapy autism plans may include community outings like playground trips, library visits, or small group meetups, always with clear expectations and support.
How Cardinal tailors social goals for each child
No two children need the same path. Some may start with basic play skills, while others benefit from more advanced coaching on friendship, group projects, or emotional problem solving.
At Cardinal, BCBAs and therapists:
- Complete a detailed assessment that includes parent input
- Prioritize goals that matter to the family
- Choose teaching strategies that fit the child’s strengths and sensitivities
- Adjust the plan as skills grow using data and observation
Over time, social training for autism becomes less about drills and more about real connection, supported by adults who know when to step in and when to step back.
How parents can support social skills training autism work at home
Parents play a huge role in keeping social growth moving between sessions.
At home, parents can:
- Model simple social phrases during daily routines
- Set up short, low pressure play opportunities with one familiar child
- Use visuals and Social Stories before stressful social events
- Praise specific social efforts, such as “You waited for your turn”
The Parent Guide to ABA Therapy at Cardinal outlines practical ways to track gains and celebrate both small and big wins.
When parents, therapists, and schools pull in the same direction, social skills training autism programs can help children move from feeling left out to feeling included.
When to consider more structured social support
Many parents seek help when they notice that their child wants friends but interactions often end in tears.
You might also notice that your child is much quieter around peers than at home, or that playground and classroom comments sound confusing or rigid.
Reaching out earlier allows coaching to line up with important milestones like preschool, kindergarten, or middle school transitions.Through social skills training and integrated ABA services, Cardinal Pediatric Therapies uses evidence informed tools to support friendships, confidence, and everyday connection for autistic children and their families.
