But I don’t want to…
For one neurodivergent young woman, working in groups has never been her strong suit. Growing up she didn’t like to compromise with her peers and preferred to do things her own way, and when she got to college, she though group work was finally over, but that wasn’t the case. For many of her projects and science labs, she had to work with others, and although they were all doing their part, she was having a hard time with the social aspect of group work. Voicing her ideas, not getting upset when someone disagreed, and overall having to work around other people’s schedules and speak to them directly was difficult for her, but even when group projects were done, she was having trouble elsewhere as well.
Participating in class conversations, socializing with her multiple roommates, and even simply working with others at her job gave the young woman anxiety because she felt as if she was struggling to participate properly. The young woman would often argue with her co-workers and peers because she struggled with the social aspect of working in groups, and as time went on, she felt as if she didn’t want to continue with college, worrying her parents who reached out to The College Life Skills Program.
There, she met with a coach weekly so she could learn how to strengthen this social skill by learning and applying strategies such as practicing compromise and listening techniques to make sure she was able to interact with others in a socially acceptable way when in a group setting. As she received this coaching, with a level of accountability, her ability to handle independent life flourished, preventing her from dropping out of college due to her inability to work in a group setting.
In adult life, it is inevitable that you will have to participate in groups, but this can be hard for many neurodivergent young adults, especially if they do not have adult-level social skills. Whether it be in class discussions, projects, or at work, working with people is a constant, and making sure you can properly participate helps ensure that you are achieving the best outcome. Not only will it make working more efficient, but also more enjoyable. If you can get along with the others in your group, then participating can be seen as a fun social activity, yet, that’s not to say that troubles are uncommon. One source explains how “Problems may arise when personalities clash, or if group members start to argue with or speak over the top of each other.” (Universityofqueensland, 2019). This can then discourage some people from wanting to participate in groups, but there are also some good aspects that come along with it as well.
“Group work gives students the opportunity to engage in process skills critical for processing information, and evaluating and solving problems, as well as management skills through the use of roles within groups, and assessment skills involved in assessing options to make decisions about their group’s final answer.” (Washingtonuniversity, 2022). With the benefits that come from participating in groups, it is important young adults are able to do so, especially as they transition into independent life, but if they do not have this skill, it doesn’t mean it cannot be learned.
At the College Life Skills Program, our team of Doctoral and Master level professionals utilizes a series of highly individualized strategies, services, and techniques to help neurodivergent young adults who are college bound, in college, and even after college succeed in and after their transition into independent life. We help teach them social skills such how to participate in groups so they can be successful in the work world and in life as well as help them learn how to balance independent life on their own, and other executive functioning skills, life skills, and emotional maturity. If your young adult is struggling with life skills, such as participating in groups on their own or the transition into college and adulthood, CollegeLSP has the tools to aid them in achieving and generalizing such skills.
Click here and call now to schedule your FREE 20-minute individualized screening
Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders. Dr. Nach is the founder of the College Life Skills Program where he and his team of professional’s help develop the Emotional Maturity, Executive Functioning, Life Skill and Social Abilities of college students and those high school students preparing for college. The CollegeLSP is a subsidiary program of the Support For Students Growth Center, located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide.
Resolving group work issues. my.UQ. (2019, November 25). https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/study-skills/group-work/resolving-group-work-issues#:~:text=Missing%20deadlines-,Poor%20communication,misinterpreting%20what%27s%20being%20discussed
Benefits of group work. Center for Teaching and Learning. (2022, August 10). https://ctl.wustl.edu/resources/benefits-of-group-work/#:~:text=Group%20work%20gives%20students%20the,about%20their%20group%27s%20final%20answer.
