If your adult child is struggling to make friends, feels socially anxious, avoids real-life interactions, or seems unsure how to build meaningful connections, this episode will give you clarity and direction.

Many parents assume social skills are something young adults simply pick up, but the truth is that these skills must be understood, taught, and practiced in real life. Social skills are so important. They shape confidence, emotional wellbeing, communication, relationships, and ultimately contribute to a young adult’s ability to live independently.

In this conversation, I speak with Mara McLoughlin, Founder and Program Director of IRL Social Skills, about why so many young adults find social situations difficult, why belonging matters more than “perfect” social performance, and what parents can do to help. Mara explains the hidden challenges young adults face, what masking looks like, and why social cues can feel overwhelming or confusing for those who have never received explicit teaching.

If you worry about your young adult’s friendships, communication, or ability to connect in the real world, and why it's so important to address these issues, this episode is for you.

About Mara McLoughlin and How to Connect With Her:

Mara McLoughlin, MS, CCC-SLP
Founder and Program Director

Website - https://www.irlsocialskills.com/
Contact - [email protected]

Blog - https://www.irlsocialskills.com/irl-blog

Phone - (971) 373-4836

Mara is a highly respected speech language pathologist with more than 15 years of experience helping autistic teens and young adults communicate, connect, and express themselves. Mara and her team developed IRL Social Skills to help teach teens and young adults across the United States the social skills they need to build real-world connections, and they’ve been doing that important work since 2021.

Please reach out to discover how you can help your young adult and let her know you heard her on LAUNCH (she'll love that!).

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Thanks for listening!

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For more information and where to sign up, visit: https://parentingfx.com/parentingcourse

🪺Early Bird Discounts will be Offered to Anyone on the Waitlist

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