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Special Learning House

Autism resources for exceptional families. Increase communication, learning and fun at home.

June 9, 2021

Free Printable List of 62 Social Skills to Teach Kids with Autism

When I am coaching, I often get asked what social skills are important to teach children on the autism spectrum. I put together this list of social skills to teach kids with autism so that you would know exactly what to work on with your child or students.

Make sure you print out your free printable list of 62 social skills to teach kids with autism to get the most out of this post!

kids in a classroom social skills list for kids with autism

Why teach social skills to individuals with autism?

Why is it important to teach social skills to autistic learners in the first place?

Building a social skills repertoire will help your child in many ways by

  • Fostering friendships
  • Encouraging kindness and empathy
  • Increasing your child’s positive social experiences
  • Reward social interactions

List of Social Skills for Kids with Autism (the ultimate Social Skills List)

This list is by no means definitive but a great place to start. 62 social skills you can begin teaching in your home or classroom today.

Make sure you print out your free printable list of 62 social skills to teach kids with autism to get the most out of this post!

  1. Following directions
  2. Complimenting others
  3. Being a supportive friend
  4. Asking permission
  5. Being polite
  6. Speaking in an appropriate tone
  7. Speaking at an appropriate volume
  8. Waiting to do something
  9. Accepting that something is not available
  10. Realizing that my actions have consequences
  11. Respecting others’ things
  12. Respecting others’ personal space
  13. Listening when other speak
  14. Taking turns
  15. Waiting for everyone to be served food before eating at the table
  16. Respecting other people’s feelings
  17. Recognizing my own feelings
  18. Accepting “no” as an answer to a request
  19. Identifying other people’s emotions
  20. Working as a team
  21. Asking for help when necessary
  22. Accepting others’ differences
  23. Forgive others
  24. Helping someone else
  25. Making eye contact
  26. Responding to my name
  27. Following rules
  28. Taking turns when speaking in a conversation
  29. Communicating in a clear way
  30. Actively participating in a conversation
  31. Following instructions/directions
  32. Staying with a group outside
  33. Respectfully disagreeing
  34. Accepting feedback from others
  35. Sharing toys
  36. Celebrating my successes as well as others’ successes
  37. Giving gifts
  38. Accepting gifts with gratitude
  39. Focusing on the task at hand
  40. Resisting peer pressure
  41. Flexibility – accepting a change of plans
  42. Calling other by their names
  43. Sharing ideas
  44. Speaking on the phone
  45. Giving help
  46. Waiting for change
  47. Greeting a shopkeeper
  48. Saying hello
  49. Being kind to animals
  50. Staying seated with the group
  51. Asking another person about his/her day
  52. Waiting appropriately at the store
  53. Mealtime etiquette
  54. Reading quietly at the library
  55. Using a seatbelt
  56. Politely declining the offer of food from others
  57. Eating at someone else’s home
  58. Waiting my turn on the playground
  59. Walking next to an adult on the sidewalk/street
  60. Dressing appropriately when out with others
  61. Sitting quietly on the plane
  62. Eating appropriately in a restaurant

Tools that can help teach social skills to autistic learners

These are by best tools to help you teach social skills to your little learners on the spectrum.

  • Autism Activity Workbooks – do the activities in these workbooks with one child or in a group. The activities build a variety of new skills and can be done by the child individually or children can work in teams.
  • Autism Social Stories – use these printable social stories to teach about a variety of social situations.
  • Autism Sensory Boxes – autism sensory boxes are a fabulous tool to help your child calm down and focus. Make mini versions and they become the perfect tool to bring with you on the go.
  • Sensory Break Cards – while working on social skills, don’t forget that your child may have specific sensory needs – they are typically part of an autism diagnosis after all. Sensory break cards help make time for sensory breaks throughout the day which will keep your child happier, calmer and more focused.
  • Autism Chew Toys – autism chew toys can do wonders for helping your child cope in social situations while also getting the necessary oral sensory feedback he/she needs.
  • Sensory Toys – these sensory toys can also be valuable in social situations, as well as at home.
  • DIY Fidgets – fidgets help your child stay focused and relaxed in social situations, making it easier for him/her to learn the social skills on this list.
  • Hobbies for an Autistic Child – engaging in hobbies can help build social skills too.

Get your free printable list of social skills to teach

Enter your details below to get your free printable list of social skills to teach.

More Autism Resources

  • The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
  • Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
  • Autism Activities Vault – 365 days of learning fun! Autism Adapted Books Bundle – build communication skills with my collection of printable adapted books for autistic learners. Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
  • Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
  • How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
  • Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
  • Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!

List of Social Skills to Teach Children with Autism

Print out this list of social skills to teach children with autism to use at home or in your classroom.

Pin for later!

social skills list for kids with autism

Pin for later!

kids in a classroom

Make sure you print out your free printable list of 62 social skills to teach kids with autism to get the most out of this post!

First published December 19, 2019. Last updated June 9, 2021 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.

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Filed Under: Communication, Social skills

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Alix Strickland Frénoy from Special Learning House.

Hi friend! I'm Alix, the girl behind this blog and founder and director of the Le Chemin ABA Learning House for children with autism and other special needs in Paris, France. I create educational activities and spaces to help children with special needs learn and thrive!

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