Child Social Skills Groups

 Social skills groups can help children improve their skills in making and keeping friends. Groups typically meet once weekly for an hour and are conducted in workshops of approximately 11-13 meetings, depending on the time of year. Parents are given feedback each group about what children are working on, as well as a more formal, individualized feedback at the end of each cycle (and more frequently upon request). Each group typically includes time to work on conversational skills, a structured group activity tailored to the needs of the particular children in the group, and a free play time to help kids work on social skills within the context of play.

Social skills groups can help with the following issues:

• Making and keeping friends
• Understanding feelings
• Listening to others
• Dealing with teasing
• Being a good sport
• Reading social cues
• Solving social problems
• Handling anger
• Coping with social anxiety

Evaluations are currently being scheduled for a 4th/5th grade group and a middle school group. Groups will begin in January 2012. Individual evaluations should be scheduled for November or December; these are one hour meetings with parent(s) and child to provide information about your child's history and your goals for them in group, as well as to meet the group leader.

Affiliated professional:

• Naomi Alcaine, Ph.D.