Developing friendships is a crucial aspect of growing up. They support children’s development of problem-solving skills, social skills, and group dynamics. They even assist children in developing a deeper sense of self.
However, not every youngster is innately socially adept. It might be especially challenging for ladies with ADHD to make friends.
Girls that are impulsive and hyperactive may find it difficult to share or accept when they don’t get their way. To other girls their own age, they may appear immature or be excessively boisterous and combative. They are more prone to experience peer rejection as a result of all these factors.
Girls with inattentive ADHD, on the other hand, are more likely to go unnoticed. They may exhibit flight behavior, fail to recognize social signs, or just lack social skills.
Kids who are not paying attention are more likely to stand outside of the group during recess or a playdate.
Girls’ feelings of self-worth might suffer greatly when friendships become problematic because they value friendships far more than their male peers do. The good news is that you can make a difference. These are some methods and ideas to help both older and younger females improve their social skills.
Give some coaching
The first thing to attempt for younger kids who are struggling to make friends is some at-home guidance.
- Incorporate sharing and taking turns when you play as a family. Remind them that friends will be looking for the same deeds.
- It can also be highly beneficial to practice various conflict resolution techniques, especially with more impulsive kids. An excellent approach to do this is through role-playing.
- Use “social scripts,” or straightforward common conversations, that children can rehearse with their parents to aid females who need more assistance with social skills. Select acceptable scripts with your pediatrician or therapist, and then practice them with your child.
- Recall that parents serve as examples! When speaking with your own family and friends, always act in a polite manner yourself.
When having play dates, practice
“Organizing structured play dates is one of the best things parents can do to help with social issues,” says clinical psychologist Mary Rooney, PhD. Dr. Rooney advises completing some preparation work ahead of time before a play date begins:
- Discuss what it means to be a gracious host. How is your daughter going to ensure the comfort of her guests?
- Allow your daughter to select a couple of games ahead of time. When should she switch to the next game, and how will she know?
- What is your youngster going to do to determine whether her guests are enjoying themselves? Are they grinning? Gesturing laughter?
- Discuss the experience with your daughter afterwards, emphasizing some of her accomplishments. Tell your friend, “Good job sharing with your friend!” rather than, “Good job.” Kids are motivated by praise, especially when it is given with a label.
Set up playdates for younger children.
It may be easier for girls who struggle to get along with their peers to work with younger kids. It’s true that your daughter will be honing her social skills in front of a generally more understanding group of people, but she may also feel less pushed in their company.
Developing friendships with younger kids can also aid in boosting self-worth and confidence. Age-appropriate social skill development should not be abandoned, but if a younger group is more appropriate for the time being, that’s also OK.
It’s crucial that kids accumulate good friendship experiences wherever they can.
Speak with the instructor
Another option you might want to try if your child has been struggling to make friends is to schedule a meeting with her teacher. Having seen how she interacts with her peers, the teacher may be able to identify certain behaviors that other children may find bothersome. Additionally, the instructor may be able to suggest classmates for play dates or match your daughter with suitable companions for group projects.
Assistance for older children
Playing organized sports is a terrific way to make friends. Sports are especially beneficial for children with ADHD, according to Dr. Rooney, since “physical activity can help with attention and focus.”
Since not all children enjoy athletics, look for any type of organized extracurricular activity. Activities such as science clubs, theater, or choir can be really good.
Finding an activity your daughter enjoys and excels at is the aim. This will enable her to interact with children who have similar interests to her own. It should also greatly increase one’s confidence.
Continue scheduling those play dates
Even when they’ve found an activity they enjoy, some children still require assistance. If your daughter is struggling to fit in, see if there are any kids in the group who she would get along with better. After that, schedule some play dates apart from the activity. Dr. Rooney suggests that you try to keep them brief and organized. It would be ideal to bowl.
developing and sustaining friendships can be difficult for both you and your child. However, assisting your daughter along the path and demonstrating to her the value of friendship can really benefit her.
