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Behavior Resources is a small, locally owned company who is honored to be able to help families in our community who are dealing with behavioral issues. We explore the potential of many different types of approaches to our therapy and we have found Social Skills Group to be an excellent companion to traditional Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) intervention.
Our Social Skills Group pairs children of similar age and interests so that they may work to learn and hone their social skills. Group leaders facilitate the development of social skills such as holding a conversation, good sportsmanship, appropriately requesting items from peers, asking peers to play, utilizing coping strategies, and solving problems.
In most cases the cost to fund enrollment in our Social Skills Group will be covered by your child’s healthcare benefits if they have an Autism diagnosis. Behavior Resources holds weekly in person social skills groups for children between the ages of 5-8 years old.
Benefits of Social Group:
- Structured Learning: The groups provide a structured environment where children can learn and refine social skills systematically.
- Peer Interaction: Pairing children of similar age and interests fosters interactions that mirror real-life scenarios, encouraging peer relationships to blossom.
- Skill Development: Group leaders facilitate the development of various social skills, including holding conversations, practicing good sportsmanship, requesting items from peers, initiating play, using coping strategies, and solving problems.
- Transition from Intensive ABA Services: Many children in these groups have previously received intensive ABA services and are now ready to transition into a more social and inclusive setting.
Who can join?
In order to be eligible for social group, your child must have a consistent form of communication, be toilet trained, be free of aggressive behavior, and generally tolerate being near peers.
What do parents do?
Parents are welcome to wait in our lobby or may briefly leave during group. Parents must return before the end of group.
What does a typical social group look like?
Free Play: The group kicks off with a period of free social play, allowing children to interact, explore their interests, and practice conversational skills. A trained group leader is present to guide and facilitate social interactions, helping children navigate the complexities of peer interaction.
Structured Check-In: This segment varies each week and may include circle time activities (e.g., discussing the weather and calendar), emotion check-ins, art projects, or a social story relevant to the needs of the children present.
Snack Time: Snack time provides an opportunity for socialization, helping children practice appropriate table manners and conversation skills while enjoying a snack.
Board Game: The group collectively decides on a board game for the session. Board games encourage turn-taking, cooperative play, patience, and good sportsmanship. Depending on time, one or two games may be played.
Physical Activity/Social Game: The group chooses an active social game, such as Hide and Seek or Duck Duck Goose, promoting physical activity and social interaction.
Clean Up and Reflection: The session ends with children cleaning up and sharing their favorite parts of the day. Cleaning up is an essential life skill, while sharing highlights fosters recognition of peer accomplishments and emotions.
If social group sounds like a good fit for your child, please reach out to us via our Contact page by clicking here.