Therapy & Support / Advice & next steps
Social skills and SEND
It is common to worry about your child’s social confidence. Try to view social interaction as a personal journey. There is no 'correct' way to be social; focus on finding environments where your child feels comfortable and capable.
Quick answer
Social skills is a broad phrase. Useful support should help a child communicate, understand situations, set boundaries and build relationships in ways that matter to them. It should not require masking, forced eye contact or copying neurotypical behaviour simply to appear more acceptable.
What this means
Clarify the real-life goal: joining an activity, recognising unsafe behaviour, repairing misunderstandings, expressing disagreement or understanding non-literal language. Consider whether communication partners and environments also need to change. Teach explicitly where helpful, but respect autonomy and different communication styles.
Social interactions occur in many contexts. By identifying which environments—such as small groups, one-to-one play, or clubs—your child finds manageable, you can play to their strengths. Support is most effective when it builds on what the child can already do.
Community and school routes often provide the best start for building confidence. Explore local groups, sports, or hobby-based activities through your Local Offer. These settings often allow children to interact around shared interests, which can be less pressured than traditional 'social skills' activities.
Questions to ask
What does the child want to be easier? • What can other people or the environment change? • Does the approach respect consent and authentic communication?
Local Northamptonshire route
School support begins with the SENCO. The separate North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire Local Offers may list communication or community services, and SENDIASS can help with education planning.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Speech and language therapy or psychology may help when the assessment question is clear. Private groups are optional; check facilitator qualifications, safeguarding and whether the approach is neurodiversity-affirming.
What happens next?
Continue only where the child finds the support useful. Change goals that increase masking, anxiety or compliance without improving meaningful communication.
Support that may help
School SENCO; SENDIASS; Speech and Language Therapists; Educational Psychologists; Community groups.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.