#395 - Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends – OT Social Skills Tips

Making friends can be hard, and for neurodivergent kids, the path to connection often looks a little different. This episode was inspired by a question from Instagram and dives into practical, compassionate ways to support social connection without forcing kids to fit into a mold that doesn’t work for them. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why friendship can be more challenging for neurodivergent kids How sensory processing, executive function, and communication impact social skills Why quality of connection matters more than the number of friends OT-informed strategies to support social interaction in safe, structured ways How to build friendships by leaning into a child’s strengths and interests Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode resonated, share it with a parent or therapist supporting a neurodivergent child. LINKS We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram Harkla Website Harkla YouTube ​​ Harkla Instagram Harkla Digital Courses

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#395 - Helping Neurodivergent Kids Make Friends – OT Social Skills Tips is an episode from All Things Sensory by Harkla by Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L.

This episode is 00:20:44 long.

This episode was published on Jan 14, 2026.

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