Social skills for autistic children
Autistic children are often willing. The missing piece is a way to start, a way to wait, and a way to leave. We do not run a programme whose only goal is eye contact.
Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team · medically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS (GMC 8023727) · Last reviewed September 2026
What we teach
Getting attention without grabbing. A script or card for “can I play?”. Recovering from a no. Mahnoor: autism and social skills. Programme: autism support.
Teens
Loneliness after school is a different job. See friendships for autistic teens.
Scripts, cards and real games
A card for “can I play?” is a start. It has to be used in a real game, then faded. A folder of social stories on the fridge that never leave the fridge is not the work.
Non-speaking children can still request. Communication. Autism support.
Teens
Loneliness after school is not solved by a toddler turn-taking game. See friendships for autistic teens and teenagers.
Scripts have to leave the fridge
A folder of social stories that never leave the kitchen is not the work. Non-speaking children can still request: few words or none.
The idea behind the work (in the books)
A way to ask, a turn, a recovery from a no — not a programme whose only goal is eye contact.
Prizant — Uniquely Human
Regulation and a reason to communicate before a performance of looking typical. Stimming that is not harming anyone is not a target. We are not a certified SCERTS centre.
Frost and Bondy — PECS as one ask
A card for “can I play?” is a start. It has to be used in a real game, then faded. We are not a certified PECS centre.
What the research tells us
This isn’t just our opinion — it’s grounded in published research. Here are a few findings from trusted, independent sources:
NICE CG170 recommends a play-based social-communication intervention with parents, carers and teachers to increase joint attention, engagement and reciprocal communication, adjusted to the child’s developmental level. For pre-school children it recommends parent mediation.
— NICE Clinical Guideline CG170 — Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s: support and management. View sourceA Cochrane review of early intensive behavioural intervention found improvements in adaptive behaviour, learning and language compared with standard care, and did not find evidence that it reduced autism symptom severity. The work teaches skills. It is not a treatment for autism itself.
— Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Reichow et al. (2018), CD009260. View source
Take a worksheet home
Print one sheet. Fill it in this week. Bring it to the consultation — a consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes.
Requesting cards
Help, more, finished, stop, my turn, can I play — a faster ask than screaming.
First–then board
The hard moment, then the promised good thing — set out before the fight starts.
Social-skills home program (PDF)
One peer, one game, a goodbye that ends.
Book a consultation
Contact owner Muhammad Salman Afzal first. No referral needed. A consultation is Rs 1,500 and lasts up to 50 minutes.
Autism — questions parents ask
Will you make them more typical?
No. We teach skills they can use. We do not sell typical as the finish line.
They have no words. Can this still start?
Yes. Requesting can be a card, a reach or a look. See communication.
Will you make them look typical in class?
No. We teach skills they can use. Typical is not the finish line.
Will this make them typical in class?
No. We teach skills they can use. Typical is not the finish line.
Ask about autism
A short, friendly conversation is the best first step. Call, text or WhatsApp us — we’ll listen and guide you, with no pressure.
MPS Road, Block A Model Town, Multan (near Bloomfield Hall School, Street No. 2) · Mon–Fri, 2 PM – 6 PM