How Social Skills and Executive Function Are Connected
Social success is about more than knowing what to say. It requires the ability to:
✓ Read social cues
✓ Think flexibly
✓ Manage emotions
✓ Consider another person's perspective
✓ Stay engaged in conversations
✓ Navigate disagreements
✓ Follow through on commitments
✓ Build and maintain relationships
These are all skills influenced by executive function.
When executive function skills improve, communication, relationships, and social confidence often improve as well.
Parents often notice their child or teen struggles with:
Making or keeping friendships
Back-and-forth conversation
Social anxiety or withdrawal
Missing social cues or unspoken rules
Feeling left out or misunderstood
When Social Skills Feel Difficult
Structured Social Skills Coaching
Using a PEERS®-informed approach, coaching focuses on practical skills like:
starting and maintaining conversations
building and sustaining friendships
navigating real-life social situations
The goal is to build confidence, connection, and independence in social settings.
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✓ Difficulty joining conversations
✓ Trouble making or maintaining friendships
✓ Social anxiety or uncertainty in group settings
✓ Misreading social situations
✓ Challenges with emotional regulation
✓ Difficulty balancing school, work, and social demands
✓ Wanting more independence but struggling with follow-through
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✓ Your child is bright but struggles socially
✓ Difficulty developing age-appropriate independence
✓ Challenges making or maintaining friendships
✓ Emotional reactions that affect relationships
✓ Executive function difficulties impacting school and social success
✓ Concerns about college, employment, or adult independence
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
Social Skills Coaching (PEERS®-Informed)
Building friendship skills, communication, and social confidence for autistic children, teens, and young adults