Skill Builders
Social Skills Group
Age Group: 7 – 11 Years Old
Most of us have experienced what it’s like to have difficult social encounters or to be in challenging social settings. Social situations can be hard to navigate for anyone on the Autism Spectrum. Research has shown that exposure to social situations and practicing social skills in a safe and familiar environment can alleviate the anxiety which so often gets in the way of a child’s success. We are excited to be able to offer this unique experience to your child as he/she engages in social learning through targeted activities and role-playing.
Program Curriculum
Skill Builders is designed for elementary learners and focuses on emotion, friendship, and conflict management skills. Participants will learn how to engage in and sustain conversational exchanges, choose appropriate topics, remain on topic, develop social awareness, increase ability to problem solve, and demonstrate understanding of life skills by exhibiting cooperation and self-regulation when peers do not do what they desire during group activities.
This group will be taught in a small group setting, using incidental instruction, modeling, and role – playing. Peer buddies will be incorporated into each session to reinforce and model the new skills. The curriculum is based on the program “Social Skills Training: For Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems” by Jed E. Baker, Ph.D. During sessions, the group will work on a small set of goals for a period of time. Your child will also practice a specific skill each week. At the end of that week, he/she will share with you a written summary of that particular skill so that you can help reinforce that learning through practice at home.
Skill Builders is designed for elementary learners and focuses on emotion, friendship, and conflict management skills. Participants will learn how to engage in and sustain conversational exchanges, choose appropriate topics, remain on topic, develop social awareness, increase ability to problem solve, and demonstrate understanding of life skills by exhibiting cooperation and self-regulation when peers do not do what they desire during group activities.
This group will be taught in a small group setting, using incidental instruction, modeling, and role – playing. Peer buddies will be incorporated into each session to reinforce and model the new skills. The curriculum is based on the program “Social Skills Training: For Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems” by Jed E. Baker, Ph.D. During sessions, the group will work on a small set of goals for a period of time. Your child will also practice a specific skill each week. At the end of that week, he/she will share with you a written summary of that particular skill so that you can help reinforce that learning through practice at home.
Group Structure
To optimize learning opportunities, we group your child with 3 - 6 peers who have similar skill levels of cognitive ability, receptive language, social pragmatics, and expected social behaviors. The level of cognitive ability is the most important factor we consider when grouping children together. Children being able to relate to others in their group is most effective when teaching skills and building friendships. Groups may vary in age and gender. The actual skills taught will vary depending on the needs of the children in the group.
To optimize learning opportunities, we group your child with 3 - 6 peers who have similar skill levels of cognitive ability, receptive language, social pragmatics, and expected social behaviors. The level of cognitive ability is the most important factor we consider when grouping children together. Children being able to relate to others in their group is most effective when teaching skills and building friendships. Groups may vary in age and gender. The actual skills taught will vary depending on the needs of the children in the group.
Parent Participation
To better serve your youngster, we ask that you share your thoughts about what social skill goals you feel are priorities for your child. Parents are asked to select no more than 4 skills/goals to work on. Research shows that if we work on a small set of goals for a period of time, we will get better results than trying to work on too many goals.
To better serve your youngster, we ask that you share your thoughts about what social skill goals you feel are priorities for your child. Parents are asked to select no more than 4 skills/goals to work on. Research shows that if we work on a small set of goals for a period of time, we will get better results than trying to work on too many goals.
Program Schedule
The Social Skills Program runs in three sessions:
The Social Skills Program runs in three sessions:
- Spring Session: January through May
- Fall Session: August through December
- Summer Session: June and July
FAQ
Who should enroll?
Participants are children who are needing assistance in social settings and peer interactions. This may include trouble making friends, keeping friends, or connecting with peers, difficulty attending in a group setting, following directions, or listening to others. We incorporate planned group lessons, individual social goals, and fun, interesting activities that give children a chance to learn, practice, and integrate new skills.
Participants are children who are needing assistance in social settings and peer interactions. This may include trouble making friends, keeping friends, or connecting with peers, difficulty attending in a group setting, following directions, or listening to others. We incorporate planned group lessons, individual social goals, and fun, interesting activities that give children a chance to learn, practice, and integrate new skills.
How do I get my my child enrolled?
New friends are accepted into our programs if space is available. Parents are welcome to attend a Registration Event or contact us for a 15 minute intake appointment and tour of our facility.
New friends are accepted into our programs if space is available. Parents are welcome to attend a Registration Event or contact us for a 15 minute intake appointment and tour of our facility.
How often do groups meet and for how long?
Each small group meets once a week, for 2 hours, for a total of 4 meetings per month.
Each small group meets once a week, for 2 hours, for a total of 4 meetings per month.
What is the tuition?
Tuition for each social skills group is $150/month. This fee includes registration, an assessment for social goals and group placement, and all parent handouts.
Tuition for each social skills group is $150/month. This fee includes registration, an assessment for social goals and group placement, and all parent handouts.
What is the enrollment fee?
At the time of enrollment, parents are required to sign a tuition agreement and pay a fee of $37.50, which represents one group session. This fee will be applied to the last session that your child attends.
At the time of enrollment, parents are required to sign a tuition agreement and pay a fee of $37.50, which represents one group session. This fee will be applied to the last session that your child attends.
When are payments due?
The monthly tuition of $150 may be paid in full, or it may be divided into two payments of $75 each. Please contact us for a fee schedule.
The monthly tuition of $150 may be paid in full, or it may be divided into two payments of $75 each. Please contact us for a fee schedule.
How can payments be made?
Invoices for Social Skills Groups will be sent directly from QuickBooks to your email address. With a QuickBooks Invoice, you can securely pay your Invoice online with a “Pay Now” button. We now provide you with the free option to pay by ACH Bank Transfer. Payments may also be paid by personal check, cash, money order, or credit card. Any questions about invoices or billing should be directed to our Business Office page or via email: TreasurerABAdev@gmail.com.
Invoices for Social Skills Groups will be sent directly from QuickBooks to your email address. With a QuickBooks Invoice, you can securely pay your Invoice online with a “Pay Now” button. We now provide you with the free option to pay by ACH Bank Transfer. Payments may also be paid by personal check, cash, money order, or credit card. Any questions about invoices or billing should be directed to our Business Office page or via email: TreasurerABAdev@gmail.com.
Are your services covered by insurance?
While we do not accept insurance, we will provide you a monthly invoice receipt to assist with submission of documents to your funding provider if applicable. Some families have been successful in having our services reimbursed through employer Flexible Spending Accounts and others have been able to receive grants through other organizations.
While we do not accept insurance, we will provide you a monthly invoice receipt to assist with submission of documents to your funding provider if applicable. Some families have been successful in having our services reimbursed through employer Flexible Spending Accounts and others have been able to receive grants through other organizations.
Make - Up Policy / Cancellations
While we understand that emergencies occur, we ask for 24 hour notification of absence. We are unable to provide a refund for missed sessions. Make – up groups can be arranged if possible but not guaranteed.
While we understand that emergencies occur, we ask for 24 hour notification of absence. We are unable to provide a refund for missed sessions. Make – up groups can be arranged if possible but not guaranteed.
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What are your policies and procedures?
We ask all parents to read and review our Parent Handbook. Please see attached file. |
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Specific Medical Concerns / Allergies:
*If your child has seizures / at risk for seizures, please fill out and submit the “My Seizure Plan” form when you Register your child for Social Skills Group.* Please share any other specific medical concerns / allergies with us as well. |
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