Social Skills NDIS Participants Need – and How to Practise Them

For many people with disability, social situations can be overwhelming — and often misunderstood. That’s where intentional social skill building comes in.

Under the NDIS, participants can access funding to support the development of key social and communication skills, particularly through their Core or Capacity Building budgets.

Let’s break down which social skills are most important — and how they can be practised in everyday, meaningful ways.

🧠 What Are “Social Skills” – and Why Do They Matter for NDIS Participants?

Social skills are the behaviours, tools, and strategies we use to interact with others. They help us:

• Build friendships and relationships

• Work with others in teams or group settings

• Communicate clearly and respectfully

• Understand and respond to social cues

• Participate confidently in everyday life

These skills are especially important for teens and young adults navigating school, work, or community settings — and they can be tailored to the participant’s age, goals, and support needs.

✅ Key Social Skills NDIS Participants May Need Support With

Here are some commonly supported areas:

1. Initiating Conversations

Learning how to start a conversation (e.g. “Hi, what’s your name?” or “Can I join you?”) can help participants feel more confident in social situations.

2. Reading Body Language and Social Cues

Understanding non-verbal communication like tone of voice, eye contact, or personal space is often a focus for participants with autism or social anxiety.

3. Turn-Taking and Active Listening

Waiting for your turn and really listening to others are skills that build patience and improve conversation quality.

4. Conflict Resolution

Navigating disagreements respectfully — without aggression, shutdowns, or avoidance — is a skill that can be practised and modelled.

5. Building and Maintaining Friendships

Learning how to be a good friend, follow up with people, and sustain healthy relationships over time.

6. Joining In and Participating

Group environments can feel intimidating. Practising how to join in helps participants feel more comfortable and capable.

🧩 How to Practise Social Skills in a Safe, Supportive Way

NDIS participants can practise these skills through:

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Small Group Programs

Group-based supports create opportunities for real-life social interaction in a supported environment. Programs focused on social connection, life skills, or recreation often include built-in practice time. Click here to check out our NDIS Social Groups on the Gold Coast.

🏠 Role-Playing and Social Scripts

Support workers can rehearse situations with participants using role-play or social stories — a great tool for teens with autism or intellectual disability.

📄 Visual Aids and Prompt Cards

Visuals like “How to Start a Conversation” or “What to Say When I’m Nervous” can help participants feel more prepared.

🎯 Goal-Oriented Support Work

Support workers can build social skills into everyday activities — like practising turn-taking during games or conversation starters at a café.

💬 Ongoing Reflection

Talking through what went well (and what didn’t) helps participants build self-awareness and confidence over time.

🌱 How We Support Social Skill Building for NDIS Participants

At Loving Life Support Services, many of our participants work on social skills every single day — often without even realising it!

Whether through 1:1 community access or our small group programs, we:

• Use participant-centred approaches that build confidence gradually

• Create environments where mistakes are okay and growth is encouraged

• Celebrate every small success (and there are many!)

We also work closely with families and Support Coordinators to make sure goals around communication and social interaction are supported consistently across settings.

📍 Based on the Gold Coast

📝 Contact us here to learn more about how we help participants build meaningful social skills in real life.