top of page

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.

​

Here’s what caregivers need to know:

1. Why Social Skills Matter

Social skills help teens:

  • Make and keep friends

  • Work in groups

  • Understand emotions (theirs and others’)

  • 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:

  • Starting conversations

  • Taking turns in a group

  • Reading body language or facial expressions

  • 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:

  • Find shared-interest groups (e.g., video games, robotics, art, or animals)

  • Try community programs for teens with disabilities

  • Volunteer together – low-pressure socializing with a purpose

  • 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:

  • Speech therapy – supports communication and social language

  • Occupational therapy – helps with self-regulation and social routines

  • ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) – often includes social goals

  • Social skills groups – led by therapists or counselors, often with peers

  • 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:

  • Role-play tricky situations (e.g., how to join a group or ask to hang out)

  • Teach social scripts – short phrases to help with greetings, small talk, or asking questions

  • Help them notice social cues (like tone of voice or facial expressions)

  • 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:

  • Gentle encouragement, not pressure

  • Involving them in choosing activities

  • Setting small, realistic goals (like 30 minutes of activity outside the house)

  • 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.

images.jpg

Where can my Teen and Adult go?

Abilities 21 Facebook Group

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.

 

Adaptions of Lehigh Valley
Adaptations is a dynamic program at Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, designed for adults with disabilities in their 20s and 30s. Our mission is to empower participants by offering meaningful opportunities to connect with their community, develop essential life skills, and build lasting friendships.
​
​

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

Website

​

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

Facebook

​

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.

Website

​

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

Flyer

​

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.

Website

​

LVCIL-Community Inclusion for Young Children

Website

​

Groups are run by ASHA certified speech language pathologists and certified special education teachers.

Where: 521 Bridge Street Lehighton, PA 18235

Website

​​​

bottom of page