How To Encourage Peer Interaction For Children with Autism
- BloomBHC
- Jul 19
- 3 min read

Some kids have a natural ability to easily make friends and connect with their peers. For children with autism, however, it can be a little more difficult. Social interactions can be confusing and overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean that they want the connection any less. It just means that they may need support and encouragement to learn the best ways for them to engage with others.
As an ABA therapist, our goal is to help children work toward establishing meaningful social relationships that feel authentic, safe and within their boundaries. Keep reading to learn how we help make that happen, including ways to support the efforts at home, too.
Start With Comfort
The best way to begin is by doing so where the child is most comfortable. First, we determine the ways your child is most comfortable showing up with peers at the time. While some may be ready for conversation or shared games, others may just be ready for parallel play (playing alongside a peer with no pressure of engagement.) Wherever they are is perfectly okay - it just gives us a foundation to start with.
From there, we build a bridge by incorporating their interests. If they are interested in space, for example, we can find a way to utilize a space-themed game or activity as part of peer play to encourage natural engagement.
One Step At A Time
On a surface level, social interactions can seem simple, but in reality they are fairly complex. It’s not just a simple activity or conversation to consider - there is eye contact, body language, tone, expectations, the list goes on. Part of ABA Therapy is breaking these skills down into smaller steps that feel more manageable and attainable. This could look like:
Greeting a peer
Asking to join a game
Taking turns
Asking and answering simple questions
Recognizing when a peer is interested in engaging
We don’t just talk about these things, we put them into action through modeling, role play, visuals and then, of course, celebrating progress as we go.
Safe Practice
Preparing is crucial, but one of the most effective ways to learn is through practice. Structured play dates, small group sessions or sensory friendly activities are great ways to give your child a chance to test out their new skills in a safe, predictable environment. There is less pressure in these situations as opposed to an unstructured social setting.
Celebrate All Progress
ABA encourages using reinforcement - such as praise or a small reward - to help make peer interactions feel more positive and rewarding. Even the smallest moments matter and are deserving of celebration, whether it’s a simple as saying hello to a peer or sitting next to someone new to them. Building peer relationships can take time, but even the tiniest steps are a sign of progress and growth. With some patience and plenty of gentle guidance, the growth will continue - and be amazing to witness!
ABA Therapy Can Support Your Child’s Journey
You don’t have to navigate your child’s autism diagnosis alone. At Bloom Behavioral Healthcare, we help children with autism gain the confidence and skills needed to bloom - but in their own way, on their own terms. Peer interactions don’t need to be forced or stressful - they just need to be guided with the right kind of support. Using research-backed strategies, we will work with your child and family at their pace to understand their unique needs, learn new skills, and gain confidence.
If your child could benefit from the structured skill support that ABA can provide, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We can schedule a consultation to see if Bloom is the right fit for your child and family!
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