Happy Best Friends Day - Disabled Children and Friendships 😀👯‍♀️

Happy Best Friends Day!

Making friends can be tough for anyone, but there can be extra hurdles for disabled children. These may include things like accessibility issues, social barriers or a general lack of awareness or understanding.

If your child doesn’t make friends right away, especially when they’re young, please don’t panic. I know that can go against every parental instinct because we all want our children to feel included and connected. Not everyone finds their people early in life and that’s okay!

Personally, I really struggled to make friends for years. Many of the friendships I did have felt quite surface-level (especially in school!). It wasn’t until I got older that I made real, deep and long lasting friendships.

So, if your child is struggling with friendships, hang in there. It might take time but they can and will find the right people. But I do hope this post still helps for the time being!

Follow Their Lead
Is your child chatty or quiet? Do they prefer one one time, group activities or online? Understanding how your child feels most comfortable socially can help you find the right environments where they’re more likely to build real friendships.

Look For Inclusive Spaces
Look for groups or activities that are disability friendly. These might include adaptive sports, art clubs or online gaming communities etc. The local offer can be a great place to find options near you.

Practice Social Situations
Try role playing social scenarios, chatting about how characters make friends in shows or practicing starting or joining conversations. It can be helpful to think of it like preparing for a play or a game.

Support From School
Some schools may be able to support your child’s social interaction through buddy systems, lunch groups or gently pairing your child with potential friends during group work.

What’s helped your child build friendships? Do you have any tips or advice you’d like to share with other members of the community?