Understanding Social Skills and Adapting for Neurodivergence.

Are you a parent carer or professional in North Somerset? Join us to learn more about neurodivergence communication!

Training in Understanding Social Skills and Adapting for Neurodivergence equips parent carers and professionals with the insight and tools needed to support meaningful social development. Social skills do not emerge all at once—they evolve gradually from early shared attention and turn-taking, through language-based interaction, to more complex abilities like perspective-taking, flexible thinking, and navigating group dynamics. For neurodivergent individuals, this developmental pathway may differ in pace, style, or expression, making it essential to recognise that differences are not deficits, but variations that may require tailored support.

Participants will learn how to identify gaps in social understanding by observing communication patterns, play behaviours, emotional regulation, and responses to social cues. The training emphasises practical, strengths-based strategies to scaffold development—such as modelling, visual supports, social narratives, and structured opportunities for interaction—while respecting individual communication preferences.

A key focus is on fostering authentic friendship skills and deeper social understanding. This includes supporting shared interests, teaching explicit social problem-solving, building emotional literacy, and creating inclusive environments where neurodivergent individuals feel safe to connect in their own way. By blending developmental knowledge with adaptable strategies, this training empowers adults to nurture confidence, belonging, and genuine relationships.

This is a free training event for parent carers of children with additional needs and/or disabilities within North Somerset. This event is also open to professionals who work with children/young people with additional needs and/or disabilities in North Somerset. Priority on place allocation will be given based on the criteria above.