How to Help a Child With Autism Make Friends

Children with autism often prefer to play alone. There are steps you can take to get them to play with others. You can be the best role model for them. It takes time, practice and patience, but the outcome is well worth it.

Things You'll Need

• Toys
• Playdates

Instructions

Help a Child With Autism Make Friends

1. Start with one friend at a time. Invite a sibling, adult, cousin or other child to play near the child with autism. This helps the child with autism get used to having someone play in their space.

2. Expose the child to social situations. Take the child with autism to the park, parties, swimming pool or other kid-friendly play areas. Get them used to being around other children. Even though these places may be challenging for the child with autism, it is helpful in the long run.

3. Play with the child. Get on the floor and be a role model of how to play with another child. They may not appear to be watching, but you will see that they are learning from your example. Show them how you'd play with a car or train.

4. Make a social story about how to play with friends. You can buy or make a picture book about how to take turns, share or have fun playing toys with others. Many children with autism are visual learners and this can detail what they need to do to have friends.

5. Give the child with autism an incentive to play with others. At first, the child may not have the desire. You could set a timer and give them a reward for: staying with other children, taking turns or playing a toy near another child. Whatever level of play the child is at, reward them for taking the next steps at play.

Tips & Warnings

• Use positive reinforcers to encourage play, such as buying a new toy, getting a sticker on a chart or getting a favorite food.

• Don't compare the child with autism to the other children playing. Remember the child with autism has to work much harder to play with others and reward them for their efforts.

Resources

• Autism Society of America