Teaching Social Skills to Teens with ASD

Dr. Adel Najdowski discusses teaching social skills to teens with Autism. Are social skills classes worth the time and money? Is there a more effective way to teach social skills?

[megastar]

I really needed this video. I am being assessed for ASD (im 17) but I feel like it has been there my entire life. I always find the social world confusing, its not something my brain can automatically pick on. Thank you.

[nikkinick]

Somebody do something about that wall.

[pusscat]

Wouldn't everybody benefit from learning social skills or basic psychology in general?

[whotfismack]

I hate the word Autism.. as a person who’s on the spectrum i always here the word in a negative connotation and it has always bothered me. i always prefer to say ASD because i don’t have to say the word “autism”

[erikhirschfelt]

Um wait... I'm sorry but what kind of therapy is this? You are teaching them to fake it?

[SIFONEN]

Why Wasnt i in thos classes when i was young

[finnprobert]

Am I the only one who hates when people say everyone is autistic

[AusticHardOfHearingSinger]

Thank you. That's what I told Alan Beach who holds "Asperger's and Autism" group in Salem, VA (of that the associating with others lessons via meetups should at times finally also be with neurotypicals to give us practise communicating and more fully interacting with them). But, he actually responded with about that it might be dangerous or not a good idea, after all, to take those like us into the world to associate with neurotypicals. I think that, in fact, the opposite would be true.

[aditya]

I haven't seen the whole video, but I can say this that most media outlets dont report on the fact that social skills training doesn't really work on ASD.. First of all there are a combination of interlinked things in ASD that cause them to behave the way they do.. Giving social tips to an ASD person is good for awareness, but it won't solve the social interaction dilemma of people on the spectrum.. Only thing that can help overall is interacting with your own kind or a mutual type of tolerance and acceptance between ASD and NT people..

[GuacamoleKun]

This is the first time I've heard of REMOVING a diagnosis. My best friend and I both spent several years at a special middle school (where we met) and learned very good social and life skills, and we now both have jobs and support ourselves (well, I get help from my boyfriend of 15 years on things like taxes and paperwork and rides to places because I don't drive... best friend lives alone and she can drive) and I have thought in the past that I am just as functional as any NT, (everyone has things they're bad at, and as a social species we fill in each other's gaps) but every once in a while there are still comments and interactions that make me realize I just don't act quite like other people, socially. (I have to consciously make myself talk to coworkers, - and use that multi-toned conversational voice - and do it just enough to keep a positive atmosphere between us... because I realized a while ago that coworkers will see not talking as NEGATIVE, not neutral!) And neither does my best friend. She goes home every night and plays pokemon and animal crossing. She's a total completionist, she will play cute animal video games every day until she dies and she will be happy doing that. (She's told me that if heaven exists, she hopes it has infinite pokemon games.) How invalidating it would be to have diagnoses removed, so essentially the new diagnosis would be "you're just a weirdo". I haven't needed assistance/services since I was in my early 20s, (we're mid-30s) but what about when I'm old and possibly on my own completely? Guess I won't go in for an updated diagnosis. (Since the DSM has changed, I considered it.)

[michelehale]

Question about our overly social autistic son. I did find this video interesting but, I’m trying to figure out how to help our son who is what I call overly social or a people pleaser. For example, he meets new people and seems to try to agree with whatever they say or do for that matter. He agrees to do stuff he usually dislikes or can’t tolerate emotionally and then regrets it but does the same thing again and again even after the bad experience. Our older autistic son did this as well and ended up in a controlling relationship with a young lady which was a mess. It feels as if he thinks that’s how you should be to be a good friend. We worry about him getting taken advantage of also.

[catherineadlawan]

I love the comment about having social skills with autism kids only. Why doesn’t any professional get this.

[showers]

So what are the SS group and/or curriculums can you recommend for teens in the Los Angeles area?

[brunalop]

Amazing video!! My daughter doesn't have autism but she has severe ADHD like myself. she is 14 and our lives are falling apart. None of us has structure and I can't teach her what I don't have. how I wish that less severe kids could get help too

[dmperri]

THEIR WHOLE LIVE ARE "WORKING ON IT" WITH NT PEERS!!!! What they don't get is time with people like themselves so they can have successes and develop self esteem ... this video is tragic

[myoldfarmhouse]

Why don't you both start that Skills Groups?!

[moonbeam]

What are the programs that you have recommended?

[crystalidx]

So basically you have to put a fake face.

[dev.morrison]

YES! good stuff. I should make a video about this, too

[caycocdo]

i go places because i don't drive... my best friend lives alone and she can drive) and i used to think i could function normally painlessly unlike any NT, ( everyone has their things' so bad and as a social species I'm sorry