Social Pragmatic Skills
What are social pragmatic skills?
Social pragmatic skills are the everyday language and behavior people use to connect with others. They include knowing how to start and keep a conversation, take turns, read facial expressions and tone of voice, change how you talk depending on the person or setting, and understand the unspoken rules of play and friendship.
Why these skills matter
Kids who learn practical social skills feel more confident in school, on the playground, and during family time. These skills help kids make friends, work with classmates, follow group routines, and understand others’ feelings. Building social-pragmatic skills supports independence and helps reduce stress in social situations.
What to expect in therapy or coaching
- A warm, playful approach: For infants and toddlers, we use everyday routines and play. For older children and teens, we include role-play, games, and real-world practice.
- Family partnership: Caregivers are part of sessions or receive coaching so strategies carry over at home, school, and in the community.
- Functional goals: Goals are focused on specific, usable skills — for example, joining a small group activity, keeping a short back-and-forth conversation, or using polite phrases to ask for help.
- Practice and repetition: We build skills through short, manageable activities and then practice them in real settings where the child needs them.
When to consider support
- Your child avoids group play, has trouble making friends, or seems unsure what to do during social activities.
- Your child struggles to follow the unwritten rules of conversation (interrupts often, doesn’t take turns, or talks at others without noticing their reactions).
- Teachers or caregivers report difficulty with cooperative tasks, peer interactions, or classroom group work.
- Your child seems anxious or overwhelmed in social situations and would benefit from step-by-step practice.
How we help
- Direct, play-based sessions tailored to your child’s age and interests.
- Caregiver coaching with clear, doable strategies to use at home, school, and in everyday routines.
- Visual supports and scripts to ease transitions into social situations and to guide conversations.
- Practice opportunities in small groups or peer-based activities when appropriate.
What parents and caregivers can expect at home
You’ll leave sessions with simple ideas you can try right away — for example, structured play prompts, short scripts to model, or games that practice turn-taking. Progress is usually gradual and happens best when we all use the same strategies across settings. We’ll give you ways to notice small wins so you can celebrate steps forward.
A warm, practical partnership
Our approach is collaborative and strengths-based. We look for what your child already does well and build from there. The goal is practical: help your child feel more comfortable, capable, and included in everyday social life. If you’re wondering whether support could help, reach out and we’ll talk about what might fit your family’s needs and routines.