Children with social problems may not understand their own social image: they may not understand how others view their behavior and actions. An important part of social language involves a child’s ability to change the way they talk depending on who they are talking to and who they are with. They may not understand that they should talk differently to their grandmother, a friend, their sister, and their parent. Students who have difficulty with this task often use the wrong words and struggle to “fit” into the social situation. Some children have trouble choosing the right topic at the right time. They may pick topics that are not connected to what is happening at the moment.
Adults in the ADHD child’s life should practice with her what to say to her grandmother and what to say to a new friend at school. Teaching conversation skills also involves teaching how to say the right thing at the right time. For example, if a friend just got some bad news, it may not be the best time to say “lets party dude!”
Timing is everything! Role play and practice the skills of saying the right thing at the right time to the right person.
© 1995-2009 monte w. davenport, ph.d.
