It is supposed to help them control their fear of communication and participation in social situations. The ads claim millions suffer from the disorder. If there were such a pill, we probably wouldn't take it. We enjoy the activity too much. There are so many interesting stories out there to hear and to tell.
Participants can be family, friends or complete strangers.
When personal contact is not available, there is always the phone. I've heard of conversation being compared to a ball game. Someone pitches out a ball, another person catches it and pitches it back. A conversation is started. Others may enter the game and take turns pitching it back and forth, expanding the conversation.