The child or teen with executive functioning challenges may struggle to correctly understand and use body language in social communication. The good news is these skills can be learned!
Teach the Importance of Body Language
Teach your child or teen that a person’s body language (facial expressions, gestures, and body posture) is often more believable than her verbal communication. For example, if you ask someone “How are you today?” and she shrugs her shoulders, frowns, turns away, and mutters, “Oh, I guess I’m OK”, she’s not OK. The student with social problems may not realize this and may take her words literally and go on about his own business.
Direct Teaching Helps
Explicitly teaching a child what body postures and facial expressions mean is an important step in helping him better read other’s reactions to what he does and says. Pictures of specific facial expressions and body language can be easily found by searching the internet. These can be shown, explained, and practiced through role-play, games, and mimicking expressions in a mirror.
Teach Important Body Language
Here are some specific examples of body language that might be helpful for your child or teen to know.
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People look at you, smile, and nod their heads when they understand or agree with what you’re saying.
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They may frown or scratch their head when confused or when they don’t believe what you’re saying.
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Some rub their necks when feeling irritated, angry, or frustrated.
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They shrug their shoulders to say, “How should I know” or “I just couldn’t help it.”
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They cross their arms when feeling defensive or unwilling to communicate.
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They uncross their arms and smile when they are willing to communicate.
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They don’t make eye contact, look at their work, or don’t respond when you are interrupting them or intruding on their time.
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People look at the clock or their watch when they are in a hurry.
Teach specific examples of body language your child consistently struggles to understand or use.
Practice Makes Perfect
Social feedback should be practiced several times to make sure your child is fluent in understanding and using body language.
Need help applying these concepts?
Call 817.421.8780 to set up an appointment today.
© 1995-2019 Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
