A paradigm shift
The understanding of social skills for people on the autism spectrum has fundamentally changed.
Historical perspective
Early autism research prioritized diagnostic markers like language and repetitive behaviors. Social skills were treated as secondary rather than essential. Training focused narrowly on surface-level skills like eye contact and basic politeness.
The current approach
Modern perspectives recognize social skills as fundamental to development. They include:
- Self-advocacy
- Relationships in different contexts
- Daily living skills
- Digital competence
- Exploring personal identity
The future
The field is moving toward greater individualization and participation. The focus is on relevance to each person’s real-life circumstances. Neurodivergent perspectives on social interaction are included instead of imposing standardized expectations.
At EVOLEA we create spaces where children on the spectrum can develop authentically and lead self-determined lives.