How Social Skills Training Can Improve Mental Health for Teens with Autism
The teenage years are challenging for many young people, but for those with autism, they can be especially difficult. Teens with autism often struggle with social skills, which can lead to a cycle of mental health challenges. This cycle includes social anxiety, depression and anxiety, withdrawal and isolation, and increased fear and anxiety. Fortunately, social skills training can help break this cycle and improve mental health outcomes for teens with autism.
Social anxiety is a common challenge for teens with autism. They may feel uncomfortable in social situations, find it hard to start or join conversations, or struggle to understand nonverbal cues like facial expressions and body language. This can lead to avoidance of social situations, which can further exacerbate anxiety and depression.
Depression and anxiety are also common challenges for teens with autism. They may feel misunderstood or isolated, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. This can also lead to increased anxiety and fear about social situations, which can further perpetuate the cycle of mental health challenges.
Withdrawal and isolation are common coping strategies for teens with autism who struggle with social skills. They may retreat into themselves, spending more time alone or engaging in solitary activities. This can further exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.
Increased fear and anxiety are common outcomes of the cycle of mental health challenges facing teens with autism. They may become more afraid of social situations and interactions, which can lead to further isolation and withdrawal. This can also lead to a decrease in self-esteem and confidence.
The Importance of Social Skills Training for Autistic Teens
However, social skills training can help break this cycle and improve mental health outcomes for teens with autism. By learning social and life skills, they can become more comfortable and confident in social situations, which can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.
Some of the key skills that can be taught through social skills training include:
- How to use appropriate conversational skills: This includes learning how to initiate and maintain conversations, as well as how to listen and respond appropriately.
- How to appropriately use electronic forms of communication: This includes learning how to use email, text messaging, and social media in appropriate ways.
- How to handle rejection, teasing, bullying, rumors/gossip, and cyberbullying: This includes learning how to respond to negative interactions in a constructive and healthy way.
- How to start, enter and exit conversations between peers: This includes learning how to join conversations, as well as how to gracefully exit them when necessary.
- How to choose appropriate friends: This includes learning how to identify and choose friends who are supportive and positive influences.
- How to appropriately use humor and assess humor feedback: This includes learning how to use humor in appropriate ways, as well as how to interpret and respond to feedback.
- How to organize successful get-togethers with friends: This includes learning how to plan and host social events, as well as how to navigate potential challenges or conflicts.
- How to handle arguments and disagreements with friends and in relationships: This includes learning how to communicate effectively, as well as how to resolve conflicts in a constructive and healthy way.
How ROWI Can Help
ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers offer individualized treatment plans for teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We are proud to offer the UCLA PEERS® Program (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) for Adolescents, a 16-week evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated teens who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or handling conflict and rejection. With ROWI’s support, your teen will be able to make friends and keep friends as we teach them social and life skills. To find out more, use our contact us form or call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477.
By learning these skills, teens with autism can become more confident and successful in social situations, which can lead to improved mental health outcomes. With the right support and resources, they can break the cycle of mental health challenges and build fulfilling and rewarding social relationships.