Helping Your Autistic Child Make Friends at School

Helping Your Autistic Child Make Friends at School

Making friends can be challenging for many children—but for autistic children, it often comes with additional hurdles. Differences in understanding social cues, navigating communication, managing anxiety, and maintaining routines can all make peer interactions feel overwhelming. At times, neurotypical classmates may misread an autistic child’s behaviors as disinterest or withdrawal, when in reality, the desire for connection is very much there.

As a parent, there are many ways you can support your child in building friendships that are meaningful and lasting. Here are some practical strategies that can make a big difference:

1. Use Social Stories

Autistic children often benefit from visual and structured learning. Social stories are simple, personalized narratives that explain social situations in a clear and predictable way. Whether through pictures or short scripts, social stories can walk your child through the steps of saying hello, joining a group activity, or having a conversation with a friend. These tools make abstract social expectations easier to understand.

2. Practice in Safe Spaces

Like any new skill, social interaction takes time and repetition to master. Help your child practice key aspects of making friends—like asking and answering questions, taking turns, and suggesting activities—through role play. Practice with trusted individuals such as siblings, cousins, or neighbors who understand your child’s needs and will be patient and supportive. The more your child practices in a safe, encouraging environment, the more confident they’ll feel in real-world settings.

3. Focus on Shared Interests

Friendships often begin with a common interest. Whether it's art, music, science, or animals, find ways to connect your child with peers who enjoy the same things. Consider enrolling them in clubs or classes that align with their interests and are geared toward their age group. Being in an environment where your child feels engaged and understood can make socializing much easier and more enjoyable.

4. Get Involved in the Community

Look for local events, clubs, or school activities where your child can meet others in low-pressure, inclusive settings. The more opportunities your child has to practice social interactions, the more natural those connections will become. You don’t have to do this alone—many schools and community centers offer programs specifically designed to support social development.

Pediatric POST understands how important it is for children to connect, practice real-life skills, and feel supported beyond traditional therapy sessions. That’s why we offer a variety of groups and programs designed to build social confidence, independence, and meaningful relationships. All of our groups are led by licensed therapists, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers.

Here are some of the opportunities we provide:

• Saturday Social Groups – peer-based groups focused on communication, play, and friendship-building
• Cooking & Feeding Camps – hands-on cooking experiences that promote independence, sensory integration, feeding therapy, picky eating, motor skills, and healthy eating habits
• Therapeutic Preschool Program – play-based, therapist-led early learning environment
• Life Skills Program – daily living skills like dressing, hygiene, safety, and problem-solving
• Summer Camps – themed camps that encourage creativity, social interaction, and fun (examples: Outing/Adventure Camp, Powerful Kids Camp, Around the World Cooking Camp, etc)
• Community Outings – bowling, nature center visits, pizza with police, fire station tours, and more
• Special Interest Groups – including animal-assisted activities, art-based groups, and sensory play groups

By offering these programs, we ensure that children not only receive individualized therapy but also have opportunities to practice skills in natural, social, and community-based settings. If you’re looking for additional ideas tailored to your child’s unique needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Pediatric POST therapist—we’re here to help!