It is one of the hardest things to watch as a parent.
Your child wants friends. They may talk about other kids. They may ask for playdates. They may even try really hard. But something does not click. Conversations fall apart. Games turn into arguments. Birthday parties feel overwhelming. Or maybe your child prefers to play alone and other kids do not understand that.
If your child struggles with friendships, you are not alone. And there is support that can truly help.
Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense.
First, Know This: Your Child Is Not “Bad at Social Skills”
Many neurodivergent children experience the world differently. That includes how they:
- Read facial expressions
- Understand tone of voice
- Take turns in conversation
- Handle losing a game
- Join a group already playing
- Manage big feelings when something feels unfair
Friendship challenges are often not about motivation. They are about skills, regulation, and confidence.
And those can be supported.
What Friendship Struggles Can Look Like
Every child is different, but here are some common patterns parents notice:
- Talking “at” other kids instead of with them
- Interrupting or dominating conversations
- Difficulty sharing or taking turns
- Getting very upset when rules change
- Walking away when play feels confusing
- Being left out or not invited
- Preferring adults over peers
- Wanting friends but not knowing how to start
Sometimes kids look socially confident but fall apart later at home because they were masking all day.
Other times, they truly want connection but do not know the steps.
The good news is that social skills are teachable.
Why One Hour a Week Is Usually Not Enough
Friendship is not a worksheet skill.
It requires:
- Real practice
- Real peers
- Real emotions
- Real problem solving
Kids need guided experiences where a therapist can pause the moment, coach them through it, and then let them try again.
That is very different from simply telling a child, “Just be nice,” or “Use your words.”
They need:
- Modeling
- Practice
- Feedback
- Repetition
- Emotional support
And it needs to happen in a safe space.
What Actually Helps
Here is what makes the biggest difference:
1. Small, Structured Social Groups
Small groups led by therapists create the perfect environment for learning.
In a well-run social skills group, your child can:
- Practice starting conversations
- Learn how to join play
- Work through conflicts safely
- Build flexibility
- Develop emotional regulation
- Experience success with peers
The group is structured, but still playful and child-led.
It is not about forcing kids to act the same. It is about helping them understand social patterns and feel confident navigating them.
2. Emotional Regulation Support
Friendships fall apart when emotions take over.
If your child:
- Melts down when losing
- Becomes rigid about rules
- Shuts down after conflict
- Feels intense rejection
They likely need support with regulation before social skills can stick.
Occupational therapy can help with:
- Sensory processing
- Body awareness
- Impulse control
- Flexible thinking
When a child can regulate their body and emotions, social growth becomes much easier.
3. Parent Coaching
You are with your child far more than any therapist.
When parents understand:
- How to support playdates
- What to say after a hard social day
- How to prep before a birthday party
- When to step in and when to step back
Progress accelerates.
We believe social growth should include the whole family, not just one hour in a room.
What Progress Really Looks Like
Progress does not mean your child suddenly becomes the most popular kid in class.
It may look like:
- Asking one peer to play
- Staying in a game 5 minutes longer than before
- Recovering after losing without a meltdown
- Saying “Can I have a turn?” instead of grabbing
- Having one consistent friend
Those are big wins.
And they build over time.
If You Are Feeling Worried
If your child is saying:
- “No one likes me.”
- “I do not have friends.”
- “I hate school.”
That is your sign to get support.
Social struggles affect confidence, anxiety, and self-esteem. Early support makes a difference.
The goal is not to change who your child is.
The goal is to help them:
- Understand social expectations
- Feel confident being themselves
- Build meaningful connections
Every child deserves at least one friend who “gets” them.
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone
If friendships feel hard right now, that does not mean they always will.
With the right support, real practice, and guidance, children can grow socially in ways that feel natural and empowering.
If you are wondering whether a social skills group or therapy support would help your child, we are here to talk through it with you.
Because connection matters.
And your child deserves to experience it in a way that feels safe and authentic.