The Positive Impact of Social Skills and Community Participation on Neurodivergent Children
- NSC
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
As a parent of a neurodivergent child, I initially overlooked the importance of social skills and community participation, focusing instead on managing daily living activities and supporting our family. Over time, I realized that social skills and community participation are crucial for building relationships and a sense of belonging. They encourage positive communication, cooperation, and empathy. When children or individuals engage with others and participate in shared activities, they develop trust, friendships, and mutual support, which strengthen connections and foster inclusion within their community (1).
Social skills also help neurodivergent children or individuals develop communication abilities by encouraging interaction, active listening, and cooperation. Participating in community activities provides real-life opportunities to express ideas, share experiences, and receive feedback. These experiences build confidence, clarity, and empathy, leading to more effective and meaningful communication (2).
Additionally, social skills promote independence. They help children communicate their needs, make decisions, and solve problems confidently. Through positive interactions, they learn self-advocacy, cooperation, and responsibility (3). These skills increase confidence and self-esteem, enabling children to take initiative, manage challenges, and function more independently in everyday life.
A key question is: how can we support children in developing social skills? Research suggests that children benefit most from weekly group activities lasting at least 24 weeks (4). Parents, carers, and neurodivergent children or individuals should explore interests and preferences before selecting the most suitable group. For example, my daughter loves swimming, so we enrolled her in a small swimming class. This weekly activity has continued for six years. As a result, she has improved her swimming skills, learned to interact with instructors and peers, gained confidence in public settings, and enjoys sensory-rich leisure activities.
As a support coordinator and allied health professional, I encourage neurodivergent individuals or their parents to support their children in participating in group activities they enjoy. These opportunities help children build social skills, develop relationships and belonging, enhance communication, and strengthen independence skills, which are essential for living independently and preparing for future work. The benefits are clear; the decision to support them is in the hands of the family.
Author: Hugh Vo, Registered Nurse, NDIS support coordinator
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