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Why Face-to-Face Conversation Is So Hard (Especially for Teens & Neurodiverse Kids
Manage episode 494280298 series 3677366
🎧 Episode Description
Why do some kids freeze up, avoid eye contact, or struggle with even the simplest face-to-face conversation? In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we unpack why social interaction—especially in real time—can be incredibly hard for neurodiverse kids and teens.
From sensory overload and slow processing speed to anxiety and social scripts, Kim and Jake explore what makes live conversation so challenging and what parents can do to help kids feel safer, more confident, and more understood.
This episode offers real strategies, relatable stories, and science-backed resources to support neurodivergent kids with empathy, not pressure.
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Social interaction is complex—requiring attention, emotion regulation, processing speed, and verbal fluency.
- Neurodiverse kids may need more time, less pressure, and more structure to thrive in conversation.
- Avoid “fixing” or correcting in the moment; focus on modeling and co-regulating instead.
- Use tools like visual conversation starters, scripts, and playful practice at home.
- Effort matters more than performance. Small wins are big progress.
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Toodle-loo! 😄
📚 Sources & References from This Episode:
- Autism Speaks – “Why Eye Contact Can Be Difficult”
→ https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/why-eye-contact-so-hard - ADDitude Magazine – “ADHD and Social Skills: Why Conversation Can Be Hard”
→ https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-social-skills-conversation/ - Harvard Health – “Understanding the Social Brain”
→ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/understanding-the-social-brain - Social Thinking by Michelle Garcia Winner –
→ https://www.socialthinking.com - Hey Sigmund – “Strengthening Teens’ Social Conversation Abilities”
→ https://www.heysigmund.com/strengthening-teens-social-conversation-abilities/ - Kids Mental Health Foundation – “How to Start Conversations with Neurodiverse Kids”
→ https://www.kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/mental-health-resources/starting-conversations/how-to-start-conversations-with-neurodiverse-kids - On Our Sleeves PDF – “Conversation Starters"
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