How to Help with Social Interaction

Use the child’s name to gain his/her attention
Encourage eye contact by asking the child to look at you or whoever is talking
Encourage listening by actually saying ‘listen’ and signal who to listen to
Encourage awareness of what others are doing, especially other children at play
Support imaginative play by demonstrating e.g. pretend shopping, using a doll’s house or garage
Encourage games where taking turns is required (ball games and board game) and draw attention to whose turn it is, using names e.g. ‘It’s John’s turn now, let’s watch John
Make sure your own language is not ambiguous or confusing
Highlight how you are feeling by explaining facial expressions e.g. ‘Mummy is sad, do you see Mummy’s sad face?’
Use real objects, pictures and natural gesture to support the understanding of what you are saying e.g. gesturing to ‘come’ as well as giving the command
Make the day as structured as possible and always tell the child what is happening and when
Prepare the child for any changes by giving simple explanations or information in advance e.g. ‘We are going to stop playing in five minutes to get ready to go in the car’
Gently bring the child back on to the topic of conversation if he/she has strayed e.g. ‘We are not talking about dinosaurs just now, we are talking about Daddy’s birthday present’

NHS Lanarkshire