A game of catch, waiting for a turn, asking another child to play, or joining a group activity may look like ordinary childhood moments. For a child who needs extra support with social interaction, these moments can also become valuable learning opportunities.
ABA therapy providers can help children build social skills by breaking larger skills into smaller, manageable steps and giving children opportunities to practice them. ABA programs should be individualized around each child’s needs, interests, preferences, and family situation rather than following the same approach for every child.
Social goals also look different for every child. One child may work on taking turns, while another practices asking for help or joining an activity. The goal is to build useful skills that help the child communicate, participate, and connect with others in ways that are meaningful to them.
How Does ABA Therapy Build Social Skills?
ABA therapy uses principles of learning and behavior to teach useful skills. ABA can support communication, safety, play, social skills, requesting, and following directions.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) begins by learning about the child’s current skills, interests, strengths, and needs. The BCBA can then create specific goals and determine how therapists will practice those skills during therapy.
For example, “make friends” is a very broad goal. A therapist may start with smaller skills such as greeting another child, taking turns during a game, asking to join an activity, or responding when another child says hello.
Breaking a larger goal into smaller steps gives children clear opportunities to practice and build confidence.
ABA Providers Build Social Skills Through Play
Children do not have to sit at a table to practice social skills. Play can create natural opportunities to learn.
A therapist might roll a ball back and forth with a child to practice taking turns. During a board game, the child can practice waiting. Building blocks together can create opportunities to share materials, make requests, and cooperate.
Social skills can also be taught through games, stories, pictures, and coached activities. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that simply placing autistic children around peers may not be enough to teach social skills. Children may benefit from direct instruction and opportunities to practice.
The therapist can provide support when needed and gradually adjust that support as the child becomes more comfortable.
Building Social Skills Starts With Individual Goals
There is no single list of social skills every autistic child needs to master. Effective ABA therapy should focus on goals that are useful and appropriate for the individual child.
ABA programs should not aim to make a person follow social norms simply to fit in. Instead, individualized goals should support greater independence, safety, communication, and quality of life.
Depending on a child’s needs, social goals might include:
- Taking turns during a preferred game
- Asking another person for help
- Responding to a greeting
- Joining a group activity
- Sharing or exchanging play materials
- Communicating when they need a break
- Starting an interaction with another person
- Participating in a back-and-forth conversation
A therapist may begin with one small goal and add new skills as the child progresses.
ABA Therapy Helps Children Practice Skills in Different Situations
Learning a skill during therapy is only part of the process. Children also need opportunities to use that skill with different people and in different places.
For example, a child might first practice saying hello to a familiar therapist. Later, the child may practice greeting another adult or peer. Eventually, the child may have opportunities to use the skill during other everyday activities.
ABA programs can include both planned and naturally occurring learning opportunities. Practicing skills across situations can help children use what they have learned beyond a single therapy activity.
The same idea applies to taking turns, asking for help, playing with peers, and other social skills.
Positive Encouragement Can Help Build Social Skills
Learning something new takes practice. Positive encouragement can make that practice more meaningful and enjoyable.
In ABA therapy, therapists may use positive reinforcement when a child practices a useful skill. The encouragement should connect to the individual child’s interests and motivations.
For example, imagine a child enjoys building a train track with a therapist. The child practices asking for a missing piece, and the therapist responds by giving them the piece so they can keep building.
The result feels natural. Communication helped the child continue an activity they already enjoyed.
Families Help Children Build Social Skills at Home
Parents and caregivers are important partners in the therapy process. Social learning does not stop when a therapy session ends.
Families can create simple opportunities to practice during familiar routines. A sibling game can become a chance to take turns. Making a snack together can encourage asking for an item. A trip to the playground may provide opportunities to communicate with other children.
ABA programs may also include caregiver training to help families support learning throughout the day.
Families should not feel like they need to turn every moment into therapy. Instead, the goal is to recognize natural opportunities where a child can use a skill they are already learning.
How Do ABA Providers Know When Social Skills Are Improving?
ABA providers track progress rather than relying solely on impressions.
Therapists collect information during sessions to monitor a child’s progress toward individual goals. The BCBA reviews that information and can change teaching strategies or goals when needed.
Progress will look different for every child. One child might begin waiting longer during a game, while another starts requesting help more independently.
ABA therapy is highly individualized, so outcomes vary for each child. Families should talk with their child’s clinical team about realistic goals and how progress will be measured.
How Circle City ABA Helps Children Build Social Skills
At Circle City ABA, we design therapy around each child’s unique strengths, needs, interests, and goals. Our team uses engaging activities and everyday interactions to help children practice communication, social, daily living, and independence skills.
Families also play an important role in the process. We partner with parents and caregivers so they understand their child’s goals and have practical ways to support new skills outside of therapy.
Whether a child is learning to take turns, communicate with peers, participate in a game, or ask for help, we focus on meaningful skills they can use in everyday life.
Start ABA Therapy With Circle City ABA
If you are exploring ABA therapy and want to learn how it could help your child build social skills, Circle City ABA is here to answer your questions.
Circle City ABA provides individualized ABA therapy for children ages 18 months through 17 years. Our team can help you understand the admissions process, verify insurance benefits, and discuss the next steps for beginning services.
Contact Circle City ABA at 317-641-0204 to get started or learn more about a location near you. We serve families in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Considerations for Prescribing/Recommending Common Supports and Services for Children on the Autism Spectrum – View the AAP resource
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Teaching Social Skills: Autism Toolkit – View the AAP social skills resource
- Autism Speaks: Questions and Answers About ABA – View the Autism Speaks ABA resource
- Autism Speaks: Questions and Answers: Autism Speaks’ Position on ABA and Individualized Care – View the Autism Speaks resource
