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Advice for dealing with socially inept teen?

KH4573's picture

Help! My 13 year old SD has limited social skills and is super awkward socially. I've noticed odd behavior that is concerning to me and brought it up to my DH and he gets defensive and shuts down. We only have her every other weekend so time is limited as to helping her when she's around us.
Here are a few traits:

anxious and unsure what to say in social situations
does not make eye contact
has an extremely odd and gangly gait
very odd sense of humor full of puns
doesn't get sarcasm
takes everything literally
super naive about the world in general
easily distracted and fidgety
does not know when it is her turn to talk in a conversation
stumbles and trips very often
does not know appropriate space to leave between people when talking
wears inappropriate clothing for the season (winter coats in summer, etc)
has trouble with personal hygiene

I'm wondering if anyone here has dealt with anything similar and can give me tips on how to deal with or help her become more socially adjusted in the limited time we spend together?

Comments

KH4573's picture

No, the bio parents think she is "quirky" and "unique" and that I am just pointing out her flaws.

Aniki-Moderator's picture

What is your DH doing to help his child? Maybe he does not a) see anything wrong, or b) want to know anything is wrong.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is that you are not her parent and cannot request any kind of tests or evaluations. That's up to her mother and father.

If her parents don't care, your hands are tied.

KH4573's picture

Yes, unfortunately so. They refuse to acknowledge there may be a problem to have her evaluated. Hopefully that will change soon....but until then I pull my hair out!

KH4573's picture

No she is in public school. I don't see how in the world she isn't being teased.

Willow2010's picture

I just copy and paste from your other post. lol. Im lazy.

I really think you should just stay out of it. You are making the mistake that a lot of SMs make. You are wanting to swoop in and "fix" the skid. Just don't even try.

1). Not your child.
2). Your DH does not think anything is wrong with his DD so you trying to point out her issues is just going to make him mad.
3). Most of her "issues" sound like most hormonal 13 year olds.
4). Your DH gets her 4 days a month so you will not be able to "fix" her.

Just try to enjoy/or stay out of the way, the four days a month he has her, and don't try to point out the flaws you think you see in her. It is just not good. Let dad handle his kid the way he wants.

SourGrapes's picture

It sounds to me like your SD is on the spectrum. Yes, some kids (people, really) are naturally awkward or have an odd gait, etc. but the difficulty making eye contact and understanding social cues is a strong indicator that it's more than teenage awkwardness.

If the parents don't see it or want to acknowledge it, then there's not much you can do other than secret said above about prodding her to act appropriately.

FWIW, I have a friend that I have known since middle school who I am 100% sure is on the spectrum, although all she was ever diagnosed with was ADD. That was back in the mid-90's. Anyway, she has always been socially awkward but she doesn't know it which is often funny and occasionally annoying. Once when her and I were in our early 20's we went to a bar that had a band and a cover charge, so we had to get our hands stamped. The manager was standing by the host stand and he was friendly and said "How are you girls doing tonight? Hope you have a great time." Completely normal manager behavior, in my opinion. My friend leans over to me and says, "I needed that." I said, "Needed what?" she replies, "To get hit on as soon as I walked into this place." WAT? He's doing his job greeting patrons. It wasn't a come on. Not that I bothered to burst her bubble.

She seems to have a bit of trouble holding down a job because she gets laid off a lot, but maybe it's her industry. She's an oddball, but she's surviving.

KH4573's picture

WOW! Your story about the bar scene sounds like something my SD would totally do. Although she's not remotely interested in "boys" at her age...yet...if ever. She is really lagging behind socially so it may be a while! Her behavior is beyond typical quirky oddball things. It's downright creepy at times. It's getting harder and harder to maintain my patience around her. I keep wishing she would make friends to go see on weekends instead of coming to see her "daddy"

stepto2's picture

Both of my skids are lacking socially. I am almost positive my SS1 is on the spectrum but no one will listen to me. I have some knowledge too because my 17 yr old son is high functioning and I see the signs. In my opinion, my ss is far worse than my son. I have tried to talk to my husband about it, but he feels like his ex won't do anything about it, so he doesn't do anything. It is very, very frustrating watching them fail their children, but I have had to learn there isn't much I can do about it.

My SD17 is very socially awkward and lies a lot. DH doesn't like when I point out her lying. I can read her really well and she fakes a lot of her behaviors around here to get attention from her dad. She has also verged on being inappropriate with DH since she was young and he says I am overreacting when I point it out. I keep thinking she will grow out of it, but she just causes more and more issues. I know she is going to want to move in with us when she turns 18 and I have a really big issue with that.

KH4573's picture

Oh hell no! I hope this isn't a forecast into my future, I will be single! I feel your pain, I really do!