Rethinking Social Skills for Neurodivergent Kids |
What Is Neurodiversity?
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Neurodivergent kids want connection, just not the way others expect.
Connection starts with authenticity and shared interests.
Social learning is more effective when it happens through meaningful activities in empowering environments.
Sam Young, M.Ed., is the founder of the Young Scholars Academy, a virtual learning community for bright and differently wired students. His work centers on helping young people build on their strengths rather than emphasizing perceived deficits.
Through his work, Sam sees how neurodivergent kids connect and how social development can unfold more naturally in environments where they feel understood and engaged.
Debra: What’s different about how neurodivergent students connect with others?
Sam: One of the hardest things is that many neurotypical social norms don't fit. There are many harmful misconceptions, like the idea that our kids don't want to connect or socialize.
We have to reset expectations, especially as parents.
Debra: So, if it’s not that they don’t want connection, how do they connect?
Sam: Kids intersect at their interests. Many kids have unique brains with deep, passionate focus areas. So they might talk at people about a strength or interest. And many people think, "Oh, we should fix that,” when in reality, that’s passion. When you put people who are passionate about the same thing together, they become friends, right? Think about interest-based meetup groups for adults; it’s the same principle. You just need to curate opportunities for them.
Debra: What........