For those with autism, social skills can be a lifelong challenge to learn. Eye contact, starting a conversation, responding to a rhetorical question, or just chatting can be overwhelming without practice. Many autism parents share with each other the strategies that most help their children in social situations.

On MyAutismTeam, the social network and online support group for parents of kids with autism, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Social challenges are one of the most-discussed subjects.

Here are some question-and-answer threads about social challenges:

• My son would prefer to stay home and literally will not get ready to go anywhere - even school. Any suggestions?
• Does anyone have a reason what could cause my 8-year-old to have meltdowns at school but not at home with me?
• We decided to try floortime and ABA. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day. Does anyone have experience using both?

Here are some conversations about social challenges:

• We went on a playdate at a roller rink for my son's birthday. While I was with my daughter for 5 minutes, the other mom didn't stop my son from going up to random people and asking them for something to drink. I was horrified!
• My son is at a new school. He still has trouble reading social cues, but when the other students tell him to walk away, he listens! When he comes home he uses the polite words he hears at school!
• Jacob is continuing to have social challenges and appropriate responses at school. Today he shoved a kid because the kid would not line up. My son is academically ahead...it is IMPULSIVITY and constant controlling issues. Any thoughts?

Can you relate?

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to MyAutismTeam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.

Feel free to ask a question here.