Helping Your Teen with
Autism Build Social Skills
Social skills are important for every teen—but for teens with autism, they often take extra support and practice. These skills can help them make friends, feel more confident, and connect with others in school and beyond.
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Here’s what caregivers need to know:
1. Why Social Skills Matter
Social skills help teens:
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Make and keep friends
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Work in groups
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Understand emotions (theirs and others’)
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Feel more included at school and in the community
Good social skills also support mental health and independence as your teen grows into adulthood.
2. Social Goals in the IEP
If your teen has an IEP (Individualized Education Program), social goals can be written into it. These might include:
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Starting conversations
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Taking turns in a group
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Reading body language or facial expressions
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Coping with rejection or teasing
Tip: Ask the IEP team to include measurable social goals and support (like a social skills group or peer buddy system at school).
3. Making Friends Outside of School
It’s easy to get stuck in a routine, especially if your teen spends most of their time at home. Here’s how to help them connect with others outside the classroom:
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Find shared-interest groups (e.g., video games, robotics, art, or animals)
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Try community programs for teens with disabilities
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Volunteer together – low-pressure socializing with a purpose
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Invite a peer to do something simple (like a movie, game night, or short outing)
Start small. One good interaction can build confidence for the next.
4. Social Skills Therapies That Help
Many therapies focus on building social skills in fun, structured ways:
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Speech therapy – supports communication and social language
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Occupational therapy – helps with self-regulation and social routines
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ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) – often includes social goals
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Social skills groups – led by therapists or counselors, often with peers
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Drama therapy or improv – builds flexibility and communication
Ask your teen’s therapist or school counselor what’s available locally.
5. Navigating School Friendships
Making and keeping friends at school can be tough. Here’s how to support your teen:
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Role-play tricky situations (e.g., how to join a group or ask to hang out)
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Teach social scripts – short phrases to help with greetings, small talk, or asking questions
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Help them notice social cues (like tone of voice or facial expressions)
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Stay in touch with school staff – teachers or aides can support your teen during social times like lunch or group work
6. Getting Off the Couch
Motivation can be hard, especially for teens who feel nervous or unsure socially. Try:
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Gentle encouragement, not pressure
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Involving them in choosing activities
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Setting small, realistic goals (like 30 minutes of activity outside the house)
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Celebrating progress, no matter how small
You might say, “Let’s try this one time—if it’s not a good fit, we’ll try something else.”
Final Thoughts
Social skills don’t always come naturally—but with support, teens with autism can build real, meaningful friendships. Be patient. Celebrate small wins. Stay connected with your teen and the people helping them grow.
You’re not alone—and neither are they.

Where can my Teen and Adult go?
We encourage all families to join us for parent meet ups, play dates, Adventure Zone parties, Santa dinners and all future events. Our group families range in age from expecting mothers to school age children.
Adult Friday Social & Social Connections and Teen Social Connections, Hosted by Autism Society of Lehigh Valley
We have a strong young adult group for the last 9 years and meet monthly for our young adult Friday social group. We have food, crafts, karaoke, music and more. Additionally we have a smaller social connections group that meets bi-weekly.
Where: Allentown
Call: (610) 751-6532
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Evening Recreation at the Arc
Recreational activities for adults in the Lehigh Valley, and in the Slate Belt. The weekly programs take place in Bethlehem and in Pen Argyl, offering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a night out with their peers, while providing their family with a much needed free evening.
Where: 2289 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA
Call: 610-849-8076
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Camelot School Year Programming
Teens come one Friday night each month for free from 6pm-9pm to Camelot to enjoy fun activities with other Camelot kids and teen volunteers as their buddies. Check out our upcoming events calendar for dates and themes for the events.
Call 610-791-5683.
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Coffee Club Connection
First and last Monday of the month. 25% off of donuts and coffee.
Where: 3 E 4th St, Bethlehem
Call: (484) 655-2885 for time
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Glen Koch & Associates Social Skills Groups
Specific areas of focus in the social skills groups are on the development of conversational skills, cooperative play skills, developing and maintaining friendships, identification of feelings and understanding body cues, showing an understanding of others' feelings and managing problems and conflict.
Call: (610) 266-0610
Website​
Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
CommUnity Club is a social group for young adults with disabilities ages 18+. Does lots of fun activities throughout the year, including bowling, karaoke, IronPigs games, game nights, movies, and events in the community.
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LVCIL-Community Inclusion for Young Children
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Groups are run by ASHA certified speech language pathologists and certified special education teachers.
Where: 521 Bridge Street Lehighton, PA 18235
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