Liam (Name changed for privacy) is a highly intelligent and creative boy with a passion for dinosaurs and space. He lives with his parents and younger sister. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 5, Liam has always struggled with the nuances of social interaction.
Presenting Issues:
- Social Isolation: Difficulty initiating play or joining groups, often preferring to play alone during recess.
- Communication Challenges: Struggling to read social cues, leading to misunderstandings and conflict with peers (e.g., not understanding when a game had ended).
- Emotional Dysregulation: Intense frustration and meltdowns when social interactions didn't go as planned or when he felt misunderstood.
The Challenge
Liam’s parents were heartbroken to see their son wanting to make friends but lacking the tools to do so. He would often come home from school in tears, saying, "Nobody wants to play with me."
Impact at Home & School:
- At School: Liam was becoming increasingly withdrawn. His teacher noted that while he excelled academically, he was isolated on the Playground and often sat alone during group activities.
- At Home: The social rejection at school led to high anxiety at home. Liam would often refuse to go to school or have meltdowns on Sunday evenings in anticipation of the week ahead.
- Development: His lack of social practice was widening the gap between him and his peers, affecting his self-esteem and confidence.
We watched Liam go from a boy who hid in the corner to one who walks up to other kids and says, 'Do you want to play tag?' It’s like he finally has the secret code to friendship.
daar Therapy Approach
Liam’s family turned to daar for a specialized approach. We recommended socialised behaviour therapy, a method that focuses on learning and practicing social skills in a structured, supportive environment.
Key Interventions Implemented:
- Social Skills Group: Liam joined a small group of peers with similar interests. This provided a safe "lab" to practice skills like turn-taking, sharing, and conversation initiation without the high stakes of the school Playground.
- Role-Playing: Therapists used role-playing scenarios to help Liam practice common social situations, such as asking to join a game or handling losing.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): We implemented a PBS plan that focused on reinforcing positive social attempts. Instead of correcting mistakes, we celebrated every "brave moment" where Liam tried to connect with others.
- Visual Supports: We used "social autopsies" (breaking down a social interaction visually) to help Liam understand what went wrong in a conflict and how to handle it differently next time.
- Emotional Regulation Tools: Liam learned to identify his "engine speed" (alertness/emotion level) and use strategies like deep breathing or taking a break to regulate before a meltdown occurred.
Results and Progress
Over six months of consistent socialised behaviour therapy, Liam’s confidence and social abilities blossomed.
Measurable Improvements:
- Increased Social Initiation: Liam now initiates play with peers at least once a day, compared to zero times before therapy.
- Conflict Resolution: He is able to navigate minor disagreements (like who goes first) without escalating to a meltdown.
- Friendship Building: Liam has made two consistent friends at school and has been invited to his first birthday party in years.
- Reduced Anxiety: School refusal has stopped, and Liam now talks excitedly about his friends and activities.
Key Outcomes
Liam’s success illustrates the power of socialised behaviour therapy in bridging the gap for children with social challenges.
- Improved Quality of Life: Liam is happier and more engaged in his community.
- Skill Generalization: The skills learned in the therapy room have successfully transferred to the school Playground and home environment.
- Parental Empowerment: His parents now have a framework to support his social development, moving from worry to active coaching.
Conclusion
Social skills are not innate for everyone; for some children, they need to be taught just like math or reading. Socialised behaviour therapy provides the curriculum for connection. Liam’s story is a testament that with the right support, every child can find their place and their people.
If your child is struggling to make friends or manage social situations, daar can help. Our evidence-based approach focuses on building skills, confidence, and genuine connection.
Ready to help your child connect?
Contact daar today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our socialised behaviour therapy programs.