346: Teaching Kids Friendship Skills, with Jennifer Licate

Friendship shouldn’t feel like an audition.

And yet, for so many of our neurodivergent kids, it does.

They try to decode shifting rules, confusing social cues, and ever-changing group dynamics, all while wondering, “Am I weird?” or “Why don’t I fit in?” It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle socially, especially when you’re not sure how much to step in and how much to step back.

In this episode, I sit down with school counselor and children’s author Jennifer Licate to talk about what friendship skill-building actually looks like — especially for kids who struggle to read nonverbal cues, interpret tone, or navigate subtle social shifts.

We talk about:
• Helping kids understand facial expressions and body language in concrete ways 
• Supporting authenticity without pushing masking or compliance
• Knowing when to intervene and when to let kids work it out
• Teaching empathy without teaching kids to tolerate mistreatment 
• Letting go of friendships that no longer feel safe or aligned

Friendship is nuanced. It’s emotional. And for our kids, it can feel overwhelming.

This conversation is full of gentle guidance for helping your child build real connection while staying true to who they are.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support your child socially without over-managing or forcing them to “fit in,” this episode is for you.

Listen now and let’s unpack this together.

Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/346

This episode sponsored by VillageMetrics — Just talk about your child's day. VillageMetrics uses AI to find patterns, track progress, and show you what's helping. Start your free trial today. [https://villagemetrics.com?utm_source=beautifully_complex&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=beautifully_complex.](https://villagemetrics.com/?utm_source=beautifully_complex&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=beautifully_complex.)

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You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com and Regulated Kids.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time.