Social Skills | ADHD Information

Share
Might also check if there is a social group for ADHD or Aspergers kids and families in your area.  There's been debate over whether or not ADHD is an autism spectrum disorder or not, but since Aspergers is a disorder most visibly affecting social interaction, they seem to do more social skills groups.  As roxiekat1 mentioned, you've got to be careful about what group you choose to interact as this will impact your child's self-perception, but HFA and Aspies face some similar social challenges as children with ADHD and might be helpful.

Years ago when I was looking for a social skills group for my child, I was cautioned by multiple people to ask many questions who else would be in the group and NOT to do it if it was a group of children with Aspergers or autism.  Their issues are different than ADHD-related social skills issues, and I was warned that it would be a waste of time in addition to potentially harmful to him.

I am a college student (I was first diagnosed with ADHD when I was 6 and have taken medicine since) and have experienced similiar problems. I have always done very well at school, and while to the casual observer I might just seem normal but shy at first, I have long struggled with making/keeping friends. While I have only recently learned to consciously regulate my behavior, and he will learn skills as he gets older (ie. a try very hard not to interrupt people and to ask them a lot of questions about themselves). Some programs might help with this, but when I was 7 I attended a group for kids with various psychological problems and it was somewhat scarring to be placed in a group with kids suffering from severe autism, in which I would be reprimanded for showing any juvenile enthusiasm/energy as it was a "symptom". I think this contributed to my shyness. This is certainly only my personal experience, but you also don't want to damage his self-esteem. While I have long been aware of my social problems related to ADHD, and have used the internet as a resource, whenever my parents have broached the topic I immediately become highly sensitive and defensive (even if I know my anger is irrational). Just be careful...Does anyone else have an adhd child that is doing well at school and at home
but completely lacks basic social skills?I think that is not unusual. If you cold call Speech and Language centers,
that's where you will find social skills classes.