Improving social skill is one of the key aspects of disability care services. It is an undeniable fact that social interaction and skill play a big roll in forming individuality. It is applicable for both a normal individual and a person with disability. To encounter every big or small life-situations, everyone must pay good attention to it.
Over the course of time, we start learning social interaction and skills from our parents, teachers and elderly relatives by observing them closely. However, with the ever-changing time, the approach towards social skill development has evolved too.
Through this blog, we at ZedCare Ability Services, will be discussing about the importance of social skills development and its impacts on individual’s life.
Decoding Social Skill
Social skills generally refer to the individual abilities and behaviours which makes a person effectively deal with different social situations, social communications and build relationships. These skills contain a wide range of activities such as:
- Verbal communication
- Non-verbal communication
- Problem solving
- Co-operation
- Showing empathy
- Having good behaviour
- Expressing own requirements and needs
& more.
Why Development Of Social Skill Is Important For Individual?
Having a good social skill in an individual means he/she can deal with various social situations and response rightfully. Moreover, social skill helps a person to express his/her feeling and needs in a better way under any adverse circumstances.
They are more likely to experience a higher level of personal and professional growth, more interactions with people and a better social life.
Let’s check out how social skills can help an individual:
- Improving Quality Of Life
A good social gives you an opportunity to get along with others which in long run and helps improve your quality of life. It also helps you build new friends, participate in sports and social events. This way you can become an active member in your community.
- Building Relationship
Building strong relationship is one of the good impacts of good social skills. It helps you to communicate with others effectively, build a sense of empathy and let you express more freely.
- Career Opportunities
Professional success also largely depends on having good social skills. Employees with great communication skill, problem-solving abilities and adept in teamwork are usually highly valued and likely to be promoted much quickly.
- Promoting Self-Independence
If you are good at problem-solving and can make decisions under adverse condition, that means you are more likely to be self-sufficient and it can subsequently help you promote greater independence.
How Children Can Build Social Skill?
Children usually learn social skills by following methods:
By following the tone of voice
By the volume of voice/sentences
By taking turn to speak
By closely observing others’ behaviour in social setting
The learning process of social skill for the children can be quite time consuming and may invoke several emotional changes such as repellence, stress, anger, fear, and loneliness. However, if you are assisting a child learn new skills, you must have patience and discipline. Also, you should opt for right learning strategies consistently to get the desired outcome.
Social Skill Development Services for Children
- Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy can be a great support for the children with learning disabilities, mental health issues, attention problems and physical disabilities. It helps improve motor skills, coordination and sensory processing.
- Speech Therapy
Children who have difficulty with articulation and communication, speech therapy can prove to be a good support. Speech therapists can not only help the children improve their communication skills but also helps with verbal and non-verbal gestures important for social interactions.
- Behavioural Support
Behavioural therapy looks to improve the behavioural pattern of the children and encourage positive social interactions through targeted assessment.
- Parental Training and Guidance
This option gives an opportunity to the parents of the children to educate and learn about effective strategies that can help improve their children’s social engaging abilities.
- Assistive Technologies
Assistive technology involves utilisation of digital apps and platforms that are designed to teach and employ social skills through meaningful, engaging activity programs.
Social Skill Development Services for Adults with Disabilities
- Developmental Programs
Professional devilment programs usually refer to the courses and workshops that integrates your social skills with professional developments and helps you improve your interpersonal relations in your workplace.
- Therapy & Counselling
Individual or group counselling are great options for the adults with disabilities as it deals with specific social challenges that hinders social functioning.
- Community Based Programs
This program involves clubbing, sports and many other community-based activities where people with disability can naturally practise socialisation and improve social skills.
- Team Building Activities
Team building activities invokes a sense of teamwork and collaboration that is necessary to build inter-personal skills, especially in a professional environment.
Yes, disabilities can take many forms, and each can bring forth unique set of challenges, especially for social interactions. people with disabilities, whether they be children or adults, may struggle to develop specific social skills. However, following the tips cited above and guided by professional disability care services, you can help your loved ones enhance their social skills and better address these challenges.
