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Social Skills TrainingSocial Skills Training

In order to be successful and function to their full capacity at home, in the community, at school and in relationships, children with ASD need to learn social skills in a structured and nurturing environment. At Education Spectrum, we view social skills as all the skills beyond cognitive potential that a child needs to lead a productive and independent life.

The Social Skills Training Program is designed to facilitate social development in the core areas of:

  • Joint attention and social referencing
  • Understanding how others think and feel
  • Being able to communicate with others effectively
  • Knowing which behaviors are expected and acceptable in different situations
  • Developing and maintaining friendships
  • Expanding behavioral repertoire

Within our Social Skills Training Program is designed for children who have some level of awareness of others in their environment and can function in at least a parallel fashion with a peer. Curriculum is drawn from both published and evidence-based practices and specifically designed by the Education Spectrum staff. The groups consists primarily of children with Asperger’s Disorder, high functioning autism and related disorders. The goal for every child is to help them reach their full social potential and develop the tools necessary to establish relationships, communicate more effectively with their family, peers and society as a whole thereby enriching their lives and preparing them for adulthood.

Social skills groups typically meet once a week for as long as the child needs the service. While goals are tailored to meet each child’s individual  needs, the list below highlights some of the skills we address:

  • Understanding eye gaze
  • Understanding facial expressions/emotions
  • Developing social thinking (theory of mind)
  • Entry and exit (greeting) skills
  • Conversational skills
  • Expected group behaviors
  • Play skills
  • Flexibility in problem solving
  • Expanding play and interaction skills (reducing perseverative thoughts/behaviors)
  • Friendship skills
  • Dealing with frustration and anger
  • Social inferencing and negotiation
  • Assertiveness training
  • Manners and etiquette
  • Dating skills
  • Independent skills for the transition into adulthood