Is your teen struggling to make friends, maintain friendships, or navigate their social world?
Many parents worry when their tween or teen seems lonely, has difficulty connecting with peers, misses social cues, or struggles to maintain friendships. But social communication is a complex set of skills—and many young people need support learning them.
In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen welcome Deirdre Flores, M.S., CCC-SLP, founder of The Teen SLP, to discuss the social communication skills that help tweens, teens, and young adults build meaningful relationships.
Together, they explore:
✔️ What social communication skills actually are
✔️ Why making friends is harder for some teens than others
✔️ The connection between executive functioning, ADHD, and friendships
✔️ How parents can provide support without taking over
✔️ Why social struggles are often about skills, not shyness
✔️ Ways to coach teens around texting, planning hangouts, and maintaining friendships
✔️ Why clubs, hobbies, jobs, and shared interests matter so much socially
✔️ How to reduce shame and build confidence in socially struggling teens
Here are some highlights from the episode:
00:00 Social Communication Is Built on Executive Functioning
00:57 Meet Deirdre Flores, Speech-Language Pathologist
02:49 What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
04:52 Why Social Communication Skills Matter
05:44 The Link Between Executive Functioning and Communication
10:15 Breaking the Stigma Around Social Skills Coaching
13:18 Why Speech-Language Pathologists Play a Critical Role
15:52 Understanding the Emotions of Both Parents and Teens
17:14 How Parents Can Gradually Remove the Scaffolding
20:59 The 4-Week Rule, Volunteering, and Part-Time Jobs
28:13 How to Connect with Deirdre Flores
Social skills are life skills. The ability to communicate, connect, and maintain relationships affects friendships, dating, college success, and future careers. The good news? These skills can be learned and strengthened.
If you're parenting a tween, teen, or young adult who is struggling socially, this conversation offers practical, compassionate, and expert-informed guidance.
Where to find Deirdre Flores, M.S., CCC-SLP:
https://theteenslp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/theteenslp/
👍 If you found this helpful, subscribe to The Parenting Pair Podcast and share this episode with another teen or tween parent.
🎙️ Hosted by Clinical Psychologists, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen.
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DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your or a family member's wellbeing, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.
