{"id":171004,"date":"2022-03-28T15:19:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T09:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nayi-disha.org\/article\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:06:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T08:36:11","slug":"social-engagement-children-with-special-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nayi-disha.org\/article\/therapies-adls\/social-engagement-children-with-special-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for improving social engagement in children with special needs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Social engagement is a crucial part of child growth and development. This article is based on the presentation above that provides you with some tips for improving social engagement in children with special needs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some factors that help include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Creating a social circle.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Strengthening interactions with key individuals within the different social circle, in the child\u2019s life. Interaction in each circle will eventually strengthen the circle that follows! <\/em><\/span><\/span>The presentation above helps with details on how to strengthen the different circles.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Creating a social circle<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Identify all key individuals that play an important role in your child\u2019s life. These individuals can then be categorised into 5 distinct social circles.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The 5 distinct social circles are divided based on the role each individual plays in your child\u2019s life<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Individuals who interact with the child on a daily basis<\/b> \u2013 This circle includes the child\u2019s parents, siblings and grandparents.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Individuals who interact with the child frequently<\/b> \u2013 This includes the child\u2019s extended family members, immediate neighbours, friends.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Individuals that are part of the child\u2019s routine<\/b> \u2013 This circle includes individuals at the child\u2019s school or therapy centre that meet the child at fixed times. This also includes individuals from small shops nearby that the child frequents.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Community members who speak the language as the child<\/b> \u2013 This circle includes members of the community such as the house helps or other individuals who speak the same language as the child or come from a similar cultural background.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Members of the same geographical community<\/b> -Circle 5 talks about people from the same geographical region or the same city as the child.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      What motivates your child?<\/b><\/p>\n

      Find the means to motivate the child to interact with individuals in each circle. It is observed that interactions in each circle will strengthen interactions in the circle that follows. But how can we do that?<\/span><\/p>\n

      By following certain tips offered by Dr. Nina Vaidya, a parent and a paediatrician, parents can understand how to meaningfully engage their child and enhance their social communication skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Strengthening interactions in the first circle<\/b><\/h2>\n

      The first circle includes immediate family members such as p<\/span>arents, siblings and grandparents.<\/p>\n

      Identify the approach: <\/b>Each person adapts a different approach to a different scenario.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. In some situations, you may embrace the child-like attitude in you. You become an energetic, carefree, fun person.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. At other times, you can take up the more disciplined, serious role<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Additionally, there can be times when you are an unbiased and logical adult.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The way the parent interacts and responds in situations will affect the way the child learns, reacts and interacts with people around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

        It is therefore crucial to understand how to react in different situations appropriately, as this will directly impact the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        What motivates you?<\/b><\/p>\n

        Children learn by observing their parents. It is therefore important for parents to understand what motivates them in different scenarios. This will help children to understand and interact better by watching their parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

        So, understand what motivates you:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Are you work oriented?<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Are you product oriented?<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. Are you focussed on how people react to the work you do?<\/span><\/li>\n
        4. Are you inspiration oriented?<\/span><\/li>\n
        5. Are you more focussed on the work, because it makes you happy?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Find the balance<\/b><\/p>\n