All Things Sensory by Harkla #395 - Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends – OT Social Skills Tips
Making friends can be hard, and for neurodivergent kids, the path to connection often looks a little different. This episode was inspired by a question from Instagram and dives into practical, compassionate ways to support social connection without forcing kids to fit into a mold that doesn’t work for them.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why friendship can be more challenging for neurodivergent kids
How sensory processing, executive function, and communication impact social skills
Why quality of connection matters more than the number of friends
OT-informed strategies to support social interaction in safe, structured ways
How to build friendships by leaning into a child’s strengths and interests
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode resonated, share it with a parent or therapist supporting a neurodivergent child.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily