Social Participation

Taking part in shared activities with others, at the child's own pace.

What Social Participation Means

Social participation means being part of shared activities with other people. It can look like playing side by side, taking turns, sharing a space, or showing a choice with a gesture, picture, or words. Eye contact is never required, and there are many comfortable ways to be together.

How It Supports Daily Activities

  • Playing next to a sibling or friend.
  • Taking a turn in a simple game.
  • Helping with a family task such as setting the table.

Three Starter Activities

Pick one that fits your child today. Offer choices, adjust as you go, and stop whenever your child wants a break.

Activity 1: Side-by-Side Building

Materials

  • Two sets of building blocks
  • A shared table or floor space

Simple steps

  1. Each person builds their own structure next to each other.
  2. Talk about what each one is making.
  3. Invite the child to trade a block, if they want.
  4. Add a shared project, such as a bridge between the towers.
  5. End when the child wants to stop.

Easier version

Build next to each other without talking.

Harder version

Plan a shared structure together.

Activity 2: Turn-Taking Ball Roll

Materials

  • A soft ball
  • A clear floor space
  • A turn card or picture (optional)

Simple steps

  1. Sit across from each other, or at an angle.
  2. Roll the ball and say 'my turn' and 'your turn'.
  3. Pass the turn card to show whose turn it is.
  4. Let the child choose how to roll, such as fast or slow.
  5. Stop when the child's interest changes.

Easier version

Roll the ball back and forth, with no card.

Harder version

Add a third person, or add a simple rule, such as saying a name.

Activity 3: Family Snack Helper Jobs

Materials

  • A simple snack
  • Job cards, such as pour, pass, or wipe
  • A table

Simple steps

  1. Lay out the snack and the job cards.
  2. Let each person choose a job.
  3. Do the jobs together at the table.
  4. Say thank you in whatever way the child likes.
  5. Enjoy the snack together.

Easier version

Give each person one job.

Harder version

Rotate jobs, or add a job for greeting others.

Practice Respectfully

  • Offer choices, such as which activity, which materials, or what comes first.
  • Take breaks anytime, and let your child end an activity.
  • Offer only the help your child accepts, and step back if they would rather try alone.
  • Never require eye contact or touch. Sitting beside your child and sharing attention on the same object counts as taking part.
  • Supervise any activity with small parts, and choose materials that suit your child's age.

Observing Participation

A few short notes after each try can show what is working. Keep them factual and kind.

  • Step attempted: Which part of the activity did your child try or complete?
  • Assistance needed: Did they do it on their own, or with a picture, a spoken reminder, a demonstration, or hands-on help they accepted?
  • Child's response: Did they seem curious, comfortable, or in need of a break? What did they choose?

For this skill: Notice how the child joins in, such as watching, playing nearby, or taking a turn, and honor those choices.

Example note: "Tried the second step with a picture cue, took a break after two tries, asked to try again later."

Related Skills

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Written by Chinaedu Okwumabua, an occupational therapy assistant with more than 20 years of experience supporting children with autism and developmental delays.

This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individualized occupational therapy evaluation, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different, so choose activities that suit your child, and adjust or stop whenever needed.