Manners Matter!

Manners are the social behaviors that help us get along with others within our culture and society. No matter where we call home, the basic social niceties of please, thank you, or excuse me are a universal language. Like it or not, other people judge our behaviors. They observe what we're saying or doing and immediately have thoughts and feelings about us. In turn, these thoughts and feelings determine how they act in response to us. If they have positive thoughts, they view us as "nice" or "respectful" and will want to continue to be around us. If they have negative thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, they may think we're weird, odd, rude or uncaring. And, who wants to be around someone who makes us feel that way?Good manners help ASD kids gain entry to the social world. Think of them as their gateway to social interaction with others. Our spectrum kids need so much more practice to learn social skills and that means interacting with others. Good manners open the door and provide them with opportunities to engage, learn and grow so that even when our kids make the inevitable social blunders, others will give them a second chance, or a third or fourth.