Services
Programs Built Around People
Weekly social support groups at our center, plus monthly community outings. Each group has specific entrance criteria; we’ll help you find the right one.
Youth Social Support Groups (13–17)
Vendor #PP4921 · Code 028. Structured, nurturing social-skills groups for teens 13–17, on-site weekly with community outings.
Adult Social Support Groups (18+)
Vendor #PP4824 · Code 102. Make friends in a safe place to build meaningful connections — weekly groups with community outings.
Adult Social Support Groups
VENDOR #PP4824 · CODE 102
Designed to prepare adults with high-functioning autism and diverse developmental needs to effectively and independently manage the increasing demands of adulthood and independent living. Each group fosters connections and focuses on areas specific to the needs and age range of its participants. Groups meet weekly on-site and include monthly community outings.
Topics we address
- Conversations and listening to others
- Understanding how others think (Theory of Mind)
- Adjusting behavior based on others’ reactions
- Friendship—choosing and maintaining friendships
- Building relationships
- Socialization skills in the workplace
- Skills for independent living
- Compromise and flexibility
- Channeling special interests
- Grooming and hygiene
For participants who have graduated from high school, can communicate their needs, choices, and ideas, and who can participate independently, safely, and meaningfully within the group setting, and who can attend weekly. Services are provided within the program’s approved participant-to-staff ratio of 1:10. Eligibility and group placement are determined through an individualized consultation to ensure that the participant’s needs, goals, communication style, preferences, and required supports can be appropriately addressed.
Youth Social Support Groups
VENDOR #PP4921 · CODE 028
Designed to help neurodiverse individuals build the skills needed to navigate home, school, community settings, and relationships with greater confidence and independence. In a structured and supportive environment, participants practice social communication, friendship development, problem-solving, flexibility, and self-advocacy. Our curriculum incorporates evidence-based practices and is adapted by Education Spectrum staff to meet the developmental needs of each group. Groups meet weekly on-site and include community outings.
Core areas of development
- Joint attention and social referencing
- Understanding how others think and feel
- Communicating effectively with others
- Recognizing expected behaviors across settings
- Developing and maintaining friendships
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Community participation
- Flexible thinking and self-advocacy
For participants who can communicate their needs, choices, and ideas; participate with the level of independence appropriate for the group setting; and attend weekly. Services are provided within the program’s approved 1:8 participant-to-staff ratio. Eligibility and group placement are determined through an individualized consultation to ensure that each participant’s needs, goals, communication style, preferences, and required supports can be appropriately addressed.
Transition to Self-Determination
Based on the principles of freedom, authority, support, responsibility and confirmation, this service delivery system provides individuals with authentic and meaningful choice and control over their services and supports — and therefore their lives.
Freedom
Members make real choices.
Authority
Leading their own goals.
Support
Help that meets them where they are.
Responsibility
Owning the next step.
Confirmation
Reflecting and celebrating progress.
The Waiting Room
A monthly support group for participants, families and caregivers of the Self-Determination Program — in collaboration with San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center.
Success Stories
See the difference it makes
“
Education Spectrum has truly been a blessing to our family. Our son Cole has been attending Ed Spec since he was 3 years old. Cole is now 21 years old and is currently attending the young adults class. Words cannot express what a positive impact Ed Spec has made in our lives but more importantly to Cole’s development. From the goals set, staff that know your child, classes structured for success, and outings in the real…
Ericca
Parent
“
Our son continues to enjoy the wonderful opportunity to be involved in your adult social skills group since 2021. His participation is online, as we lack providers in our area teaching these skills with like-minded peers in an evening group setting. Through this group, Education Spectrum has supported our son in building confidence, meeting new friends, gaining strength in independence and being respectf…
Becky D.
Parent
“
Education Spectrum has given me the ability to socially connect with other great people in life. It has given me the ability to be more open and honest while reflecting on my journey, socially, as a person and human. I’d say all the instructors there, both now and in the past, have truly helped me in ways that I never thought possible. They’ve introduced to me different concepts that made me genuinely think about how to interact with…
Cole Terry
Participant
“
I really enjoy Education Spectrum because I have made a huge group of friends that I enjoy hanging out with even outside of Ed Spec. I also really like the group outings because we get to bond even more with each other.
Jose Maldonado
Participant