Social skills in children ADHD
Social skills are those socially appropriate behaviors that we carry out, in our day to day, when we relate to the people around us. Having social skills allows us to establish good social relationships and this has a positive effect on us , improves our self-esteem and makes us feel good about ours
Social skills are those socially appropriate behaviors that we carry out, in our day to day, when we relate to the people around us. Having social skills allows us to establish good social relationships and this has a positive effect on us, improves our self-esteem and makes us feel good about ourselves.
It can happen that ADHD children have difficulties in relating to other children or adults. In Guiainfanitl.com we tell you how social skills are usually in children with attention deficit and hyperactivity.
Hyperactive children and their social skills
Social relationships or emotional competence are fundamental aspects for the development and mental health of the youngest children. We are social beings and we need to continuously relate to other people to enjoy good self-esteem and optimal emotional well-being. However, not all people are equally socially skilled.
It is common for children with ADHD to manifest difficulties in relating to the people around them and especially to their peer group, despite struggling to be socially accepted.
This fact has been verified for decades by several research studies, such as the one carried out by Orjales in 1995, which have concluded that effectively children with ADHD have a deficit in social skills compared to their peer group. Pardos, Fernández-Jaén and Fernández-Mayorales (2009) stated that approximately 74% of children diagnosed with ADHD are rejected by their peer group.
People around the child with ADHD do not always understand their way of acting and, due to the misinformation that currently still exists about ADHD, they do not know that the behaviors they carry out are involuntary and very difficult to control. This generates that many times they are rejected by their classmates, by friends, by their teachers and even by relatives.
It is important that from home we help the child to acquire prosocial behaviors and to regulate their emotions. It is recommended that family members act as role models and develop positive relationships in order to promote a peaceful atmosphere in the home, and that the child learn and internalize the prosocial behaviors observed at home.
Why are children with ADHD socially rejected?
- Impulsivity.
- Inopportune behavior.
- Exaggerated reactions.
- Oppositionist and challenging behaviors.
- Lack of self-control.
- Lack of reflection.
- Verbal or physical aggressive behavior.
- Lack of regulation of their emotions.
- Non-compliance with established rules or regulations.
- Excessive and sudden movements.
- Lack of attentive listening.
- Distraction.
What are the consequences of not being socially skilled?
- Low self-esteem.
- Feelings of personal inefficiency.
- Feelings of sadness.
- No acceptance in the peer group.
- Social isolation.
- Difficulty in resolving conflicts.
- Difficulty making new friends.
- Difficulty keeping friends in time.
Finally, we would like to emphasize the importance of carrying out an early intervention that allows the child to offer concrete strategies and guidelines so that he can successfully develop in all areas of his life and develop positive social relationships in his environment.
