Allan, I agree that to have a kid memorize what social skills is soon forgotten in the midst of more promising activities. Having them process it, and make it their own is a trick. I wish there were more programs using video of the child during social exercises so they can see how and what they doing.
We do a lot of "if I didn't ask you about your day and asked everyone else, how would you feel? That's how I feel when you don't show interest in our days."
I seem to have to turn a social skill blunder around on him so he can empathize with my feelings. If I don't hear him when he speaks from another room, he becomes very irritated that I ask him to repeat it. A few days ago, he couldn't hear what I was saying and I used it as an example how it would feel if I became irritated. You can see a spark of understanding in him.
So much of what we want for our kids has to be something our kids want in order for them to process and make it their own. In the meantime, he role plays what society needs him to act like until he "gets it".
Thanks for the info. You always have some interesting input.
