April is Autism Acceptance Month and Neurodiversity Awareness Month. But did you know that autistic teens and ADHD women are the most at-risk populations for suicide? IRL Social Skills seeks to solve these issues through community care and evidence-based group interventions that help teens and adults navigate social, academic and professional life.
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Let’s journey together through Autism Acceptance Month — as allies, advocates, and friends — championing acceptance, understanding, and inclusion in every arena. In celebrating autism specifically and neurodiversity in general, we enrich not only our communities and personal lives but also our shared humanity.
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Complimenting and flirting are close cousins on the social skills tree, but they serve different purposes. Neurodivergent individuals who struggle to read social and nonverbal communication cues, may have difficulty differentiating between the two. So what exactly is the difference between flirting and complimenting?
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Navigating the world of dating can be exciting—and challenging!—for anyone, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, it may present unique considerations and difficulties. However, with self-awareness and strong social skills, autistic individuals can develop fulfilling and meaningful romantic relationships—AND actually enjoy dating.
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When most people think of social skills, they think of talking, listening, and interacting with others. But there’s a critical skills that many of us remain unaware of—our own ability to understand what our body sensations are telling us. Somatic experiencing can help us get better at relating to others by first understanding our own sensations and feelings.
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Who do insurance companies often hesitate to foot the bill for life-changing interventions? in this article we explore the challenges of getting insurance to pay for your family’s medical needs.
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All families experience communication difficulties from time to time—it’s a normal part of family life. But when misunderstandings and communication breakdowns occur, everyday interactions can become something both sides dread. Strengthening communication skills goes a long way to improving family relations.
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Emerging technologies promise new treatment options for autism and other physical and mental health conditions. Studies are underway to prove their effectiveness. But evidence is already in on the positive impacts of good old fashioned skill-building and community support for mental and physical health.
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Having technical skills is of vital importance in today’s workplace, but even more important is possessing strong social skills, aka “soft skills”. In fact, many employers admit they would hire or promote individuals with strong people skills over someone with terrific technical skills who lacks social skills. Read on to learn more about which skills are so necessary to develop in order to succeed at work.
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Self-care is all the rage right now. Social media channels are flooded with self-care tips ranging from bubble baths to journaling to mushroom tea to forest bathing—the practice of spending time in nature. But what IS self-care? Is it different for neurodivergent people than for neurotypicals? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we present an overview of three mental health tools for self-care.
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Transitions are among the most difficult experiences for humans. They can be exciting and uplifting, but often they are stressful and dysregulating as well. To help your young adult succeed with this major transition, it’s imperative to strongly encourage them to join an activity on campus that is based on their interests. Whatever it is — art, music, gardening, animals — other people are interested in it, too.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in recognition of the importance of advocating for and tending to our mental health—both individually and collectively—it’s important to understand how mental health and neurodiversity intersect.
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Preparing your teen for sexual relations might be awkward but it’s also a loving and empowering endowment. Helping them understand the need for clear boundaries and consent will help prepare them not only for sexual intimacy but also in other areas of life as they learn self-agency, self-advocacy, and self-respect.
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Most autistic individuals have typical sexual and romantic feelings and desires. They have a right to sex education and to engage in sexual activities. Without proper education, autistic individuals may engage in socially inappropriate or dangerous ways of fulfilling their sexual and intimacy desires. Sex education is preventative and proactive.
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There are many articles offering advice to neurotypical individuals on how to date an autistic person. Few articles exist that help autistic and neurodivergent people navigate dating an allistic (or non-autistic) person. Here are our Top 10 Dating Tips for autistic teens and adults to help you go from awkward to awesome with your social engagements.
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