Young Adult Social Skills Training

Our Young Adult Social Skills Training Program is designed to prepare older clients with Aspergers Disorder, high-functioning autism and related disorders to deal effectively and independently with the increasing demands of approaching adulthood and independence. The groups focus on the following areas related to adolescence and early adulthood:

• Having conversations and listening to others
• Understanding the importance of how other’s think (Theory of Mind)
• Learning to change your behavior based upon other’s reactions to you
• Friendship – Deciding who to chose as a friend, how to maintain friendships, and how to handle disagreements
• Dating – How to recognize if someone is interested in you, how to make or accept an initial approach, dealing with sexuality and sexual issues
• Grooming and Hygiene
• Job Skills – How to decide what job to seek out, going on interviews, skills needed to keep a job
• Money management skills
• Independent living skills
• Compromising and flexibility
• Handling frustration, anger and anxiety
• Channeling special interests

These groups are best suited for clients between the ages of 15 and 25. They must be fully verbal and able to function independently in a group setting. They should also have expressed interest in working on at least one or two of the skills listed above and be able to commit to weekly attendance in the program. Parents are invited to periodic parent training/review sessions.