What Are Social Skills Groups?

Social skills groups are small organized groups led by a qualified professional with social skills training to help children and teens with strategies and practice to get along with their peers through better social interactions.  Research shows that structured social skills groups are an essential way to support and teach the necessary skills to help those who struggles with making and maintaining friendships.  Kids who learn social skills feel more confidence and success in interacting with their peers.

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Who Can Attend Social Skills Groups?

Group sizes are small, usually around 10-15 kids per group.  Social skills groups are for kids of all ages and levels.

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Participants who attend include kids from homeschool, private, public, and sometimes special education schools. Group members are diverse and may have a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, high functioning autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety, etc.  A diagnosis is not required to attend.  Some participants attend to help with shyness and making new friends.  

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Our groups are not designed for kids who are aggressive, require 1:1 attention, or have severe medical issues. 

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Most of our group members want more friends or longer lasting friendships.

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What To Expect In Our Social Skills Groups?

Our social skills groups are designed to provide an opportunity for individuals to practice and improve their social skills in a safe, supportive and structured environment.  Our group will meet weekly and be facilitated by a Board Certified Music Therapist.  Groups will be designed and tailored to meet individual needs, abilities, and preferences.  Participants will learn new concepts and then have an opportunity to practice and demonstrate the new skill.  Groups may include structured lessons, demonstrations, role play, and discussions.  Kids will also participate fun projects, activities, and time for structured and unstructured play to support their exploration of learned social skills in a real life experience with their peers.     

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Objectives

Group goals may include:

• Effective Communication

• Problem Solving

• Boundaries

• Conflict Resolution

• Dealing with Emotions

• Peer Interactions

• Making Introductions

• Asking for Help

• Following Directions

• Self-control: Stop and Think Before You Act

• Making Small Talk

• Resisting Peer Pressure

• Teasing vs. Bullying

• Identifying Emotions

• Personal Space

• Apologizing

• Being a Social Detective: Non-verbal cues

• Flexibility: Being a Fun Player/Dealing with Losing

• Problem Solving

• Sharing

• Being Part of the Group: Collaborating

Members of the group undertake a range of activities to achieve those objectives, including group activities, games, role play, group and team discussions, and unstructured play.  Our goal is to make learning and praticing social skills fun and engaging!  

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Our group will also participate in a fun end of class party to celebrate our progress and success!