In their cases, the adolescent appears to have little connection to peers or psrents. The youth rarely verbalizes or demands attention. When confronted or encouraged to speak, the youth further withdraws and isolates. Once again, a look at toddlerhood can help the parent who has a reticent adolescent. In this task, the child sits beside a peer and plays with a toy, puzzle or game.
Adults laugh when they see both children, as no actual dialogue or sharing of play exists.
However, much work is accomplished at this stage. After enough understanding of these tasks, a child can then learn to seek outward toward peers. Likewise, a parent with an isolating teen would do well to engage in parallel play with the adolescent. In other words, sit down in front of the T.V. with the youth. Make statements rather than ask questions, as questioning implies mutual exchange.