How do you teach a neuro developmentally delayed 4 year old not to push?

[BriocheDoree]

Some of you are going to laugh at me, I'm sure, because this really isn't earth shattering stuff, but I had a really embarassing afternoon. Went to a new playgroup, never been before, never met any of the mums. Introduced DD. Mentioned that she has speech problems because otherwise people think she's rude because she doesn't answer when they ask questions. Firstly all of the kids were much younger than her so she pretty much ignored them. Then some other 4 year olds arrived. She marched straight up to one of the girls, gave a broad grin, and shoved her backwards. I said "No", she did it again. Twice. I eventually had to remove her. She then went and pushed a two year old over. She has also started pushing her brother (10 mos and just standing). She doesn't seem to mean any malice by it, but I have no idea how to explain to her not to do this. I can't really "explain" things to her because of her lack of receptive language. She doesn't understand people's emotions: usually laughs when her brother is upset, for example. I think that this is actually her way of reaching out to people, which is why it's so sad. I don't want to start introducing her to everyone as "This is DD, she's neuro delayed" because people don't know how to react to that and I'd really like her to be able to make real friends, not "pity" friends. Anyway, ending up going home, completely embarrassed by DD's behaviour. Sometimes wish I knew a few other kids who were autistic / SLD / neuro delayed just so that she wouldn't be the odd one out all the time (is that a terrible thing to say??). She's so sweet and she loves being with people but has no idea how to behave! Anyone got any good ideas for how to reinforce good behaviour patterns?

sorry no advice as not my feild. but have you though of trying a sn group. it might help to build up your confidence.
(bet if you ask there are people on this board in your area)

Totally agree with Tclanger, My DD is 5 and has AS, and although she doesnt have SLD her social understanding is very delayed. We have had great success using social storys as she is very much a visual learner and tends to get a little obsessed with the social story, whenever we introduce a new one.

I used to feel then same a toddle groups with my DD, she would often appear as odd and sometime even the parents would look at her like she lived on another planet .

If she's doing it to try to communicate can you get in fast and convert a push to a handshake or a signed hello? You'd have to be on top of her every time (and clue some others in on how to respond to her) but it's going to be easier to replace the behaviour with a more appropriate behaviour than it is to just cut it out.