Social skills aren't about a child simply being near other children. They are skills that help the child take part in the life of a group. This is exactly what group sessions at the Neuron center are about: they build the basic skills for adapting to kindergarten and school.
What skills are needed in class
For example, responding to the teacher's instruction to the whole class, answering in chorus with the class, waiting their turn, coming up to the board, saying that a task is done, working with a timer and coming back after a break. These skills are practiced gradually, from simple to more complex.
Inclusion: what the environment should do
Behavior analyst Liliya Lykova, an expert in inclusive education with more than 13 years of experience supporting children in kindergartens and schools, spoke at a meeting at the center. She describes inclusion as an adapted environment, accessible materials and the child's participation in the shared process, whatever their skill level.
In her words: "Inclusion isn't about being like EVERYONE. It's exactly the opposite. It's EVERYONE who must make sure the child feels comfortable and safe, and can gradually build their skills." The goal is for every child with special needs to be included in the life of society, not left "at the back of the class."
How to tell classmates about autism
Every school year begins with new acquaintances. When a child with autism joins a class, classmates often have questions: why does he behave differently, why doesn't she always answer, why does he avoid contact or react to the world in a different way?
An open and clear conversation about autism helps children not to fear differences but to understand them better. This kind of introduction:
- builds respect;
- reduces the risk of teasing and isolation;
- teaches children to support each other;
- creates a safe environment where every child feels accepted.
The center has prepared a resource called "A Special Classmate," which helps teachers, parents and specialists explain autism to children in simple language and take the first step toward inclusion, where what matters is not sameness but respect for each person's differences.
Schoolchildren visit the center
Once, schoolchildren came to the center to learn about the profession of a behavior analyst and find out how they can help a classmate, brother, friend or acquaintance with special needs. The children asked many thoughtful questions. They talked about friendship, support, differences between people and why it's important to respect each other.
Many questions were not only about developmental differences but also about their own behavior, communication with friends and relationships at school. Meetings like this help children become more attentive and more confident about how to support the person next to them.
Where to start
If your child is about to start kindergarten or school, begin with an assessment: which skills are already there, and which are worth working on in a group. You can discuss this with the center's specialists.