Helping Neurodivergent Children Build Friendships:
Free LiveBig Webinar Offers Practical Guidance for Parents and Educators
For neurodivergent children, making friends and navigating social situations isn’t always easy—but the right support can make a world of difference. A new webinar from allied health provider LiveBig aims to help parents, carers and educators better understand how to build social confidence and connection in children who think and learn differently.
LiveBig is a national NDIS-registered provider of allied health and behaviour support services, working with children and adults across Australia to help them achieve their goals and thrive in everyday life.
The free online session, Building Social Skills & Friendships, will be held on Thursday 12 June from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm AEST, offering practical, evidence-informed guidance on supporting children to develop authentic and lasting relationships.
“Every child deserves the chance to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging,” says Juliet Middleton, CEO of LiveBig. “For so many families, it can be heartbreaking to see a child struggle to make friends or feel left out. But there are ways we can support them—and this webinar is about giving parents and carers practical tools, grounded in care and understanding, to help their children build confidence and connection.”
Many parents and educators want to help—but common approaches can sometimes miss the mark. For example:
- Expecting children to “just join in” at a birthday party or in the playground may set them up for failure if they haven’t been given the tools to understand group dynamics.
- Assuming a lack of eye contact means disinterest can be misleading—many neurodivergent children are deeply engaged but process communication differently.
- Focusing on ‘fixing’ behaviour rather than supporting underlying skills—like emotional regulation or interpreting body language—can create shame and erode confidence.
Lara Powers, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner said, small adjustments can open doors.
“Introducing quiet spaces during group activities, allowing children to prepare in advance for social events, or pairing them with a consistent peer buddy can all help reduce overwhelm and increase connection,” says Lara.
Webinar topics include:
- How to identify when a child may need extra support
- Common barriers to building friendships for neurodivergent children
- What social skills are—and how they develop over time
- How adults can work together across home, school, and support settings
To register for the online event: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AtpDWIlSjdveSJjVeCaX9kB6_64iZo3hM9rAu8eFPJMJRBTPi2Be~AofBwOZ53qX3IP_PuTrxO0bj9oJOm_CWo_2GGYADO7KeSjvLOJ8xqYtonsMloDUxq7o_Y_2hBaQNODN2QaOne_uSHQ
For more information or to access services in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, visit www.livebig.com.au
Media assets available here
ENDS
Issued by Lanham Media on behalf of LiveBig.
Media Contacts:
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
About LiveBig
LiveBig is a specialist allied health and assessment services provider for people with disability, including those on the NDIS. LiveBig is a registered provider with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, simplifying the process of accessing support services at home, via telehealth, and in the community. LiveBig is part of the Arriba Group, which includes Rehab Management, AimBig Employment, and LiveBig.
For more information, visit www.livebig.com.au
