One of the many ways in which autism can affect daily life is by causing difficulties with social interaction. This is particularly true in adulthood, where the challenges are often greater but support can be reduced. That is why our care home jobs in Basingstoke involve the provision of social interaction activities for adults with autism as a way to help them master these challenges.
What are social interaction activities?
Social interaction activities are a variety of tasks and games that provide service users with the opportunity to learn and practise the skills they need to successfully interact with other people. This could involve lessons in recognising non-verbal communication (such as facial expressions or hand gestures), role-play exercises to improve empathy or writing scripts for common conversational topics.
Just providing a controlled environment where people with autism can interact without pressure can be invaluable. It removes many of the stressors that accompany these situations in the real world. Starting on a small scale, surrounded by trusted individuals, allows the service user to feel safe as they practise social interaction, meaning they will be better prepared when they do enter the outside world.
How can they help autistic adults?
Social interaction can be difficult for autistic individuals of all ages but it can become particularly challenging in adulthood. Maintaining jobs and relationships involves a good understanding of social interaction. Individuals may need to communicate with utility companies, bank managers, bus drivers and a whole host of other people just to get through the day. Behaviour that may have been viewed as merely quirky in childhood is now frowned upon as inappropriate. There is an increased expectation that someone is able to handle basic tasks and less understanding for those who cannot do so.
By providing social interaction activities, support workers allow service users the opportunity to practise social interaction in a safe and sometimes even enjoyable way. They can choose when and how to interact whilst surrounded by people who will only offer support and not judgement. Being able to practise social interaction will allow the autistic adult to build confidence as they develop the skills they need to step out into wider society.
Social interaction activities in care home jobs in Basingstoke
If you are employed in one of our care home jobs in Basingstoke you may offer autistic adults a range of activities designed to help them improve their social interaction skills. To do this, they will need to know they are in a supportive environment with people who will listen to and support them. By communicating clearly and consistently, you can help them overcome anxiety, identify the activities that will best support them and ensure they are prepared for social interaction outside of the home. This can only work if a trusting relationship is built between the service user and the support worker.
For autistic adults who struggle with social situations and personal relationships, social interaction activities are a way to practise and develop the skills essential for independent living. They improve confidence, reduce anxiety and help prepare service users for the wide range of social situations they may encounter outside of a supported living environment.
