Due to COVID, our social skills program is on hold until it’s safe to resume. Please subscribe to receive updates.
Social Skills Group
If any of these following comments sound familiar or if your child is having any difficulties with social interaction, you have come to the right place for social skills groups for kids with autism!
“My child goes to the park and wants to play with other children, but isn’t sure how. He tries to get their attention by making funny noises or talking in a strange voice. Sometimes other children approach him and try to play with him, but when they notice he is different, they often walk away and go to play with others or play by themselves. It breaks my heart.”
“My child always comes home talking about a peer who she helped in school and seems to take a real interest in spending time helping others! She would love to have opportunities to be a part of a blended program where she could develop a friendship/ connection with peers who may benefit from a model.”
“My child is in 4th grade and plays by himself most of the time. His younger siblings come home and talk about their friends, have friends over, and are invited over to friend’s houses. I want the same for my 4th grader.”
Social skills are a necessary foundation for social interaction and quality of life. Many children need support to gain the skills necessary to thrive in this area. We need peer buddies to help our skill builders learn. It’s all about making connections and learning how to communicate with everyone, regardless of their current social skills set – and most importantly making friends!
GBC Autism Services is thrilled to provide a blended social skills group for kids with autism that provides naturalistic opportunities to interact with peers in a supported environment. Programming is designed by BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) who also train staff and supervise social skills groups on a regular basis.
The following topics may be covered in social skills groups, depending on the needs and objectives of the participants:
- Establishing and maintaining friendships
- Navigating peer relationships
- Maintaining a conversation
- Using appropriate language and behavior in social settings
- Playing games (winning and losing graciously)
- Working collaboratively on group projects
- Acknowledging and managing emotions
- Recognizing and responding to others’ emotions
- Taking another person’s point of view conflict.
When is the Social Skills Group? What are the Age Ranges for Groups?
Fall sessions will be available from Monday, September 9 through Saturday, November 23 for an 11-week program.
How Big is Group?
8 participants and 2 staff
How Much?
$330 for the 11 week program
Program Dates
Chicagoland
Mondays 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Grades 6 – 9
Mondays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Grades K – 5
Saturdays 10:30 – 12:00 p.m. | Grades K – 5
Saturdays 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. | Grades K – 5
Peoria and Normal
Mondays 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Grades Pre-K – 5
Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Grades Pre-K – 5
Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Grades 6 – 9
Where Does the Group Meet?
Groups meet at our GBC Autism Services offices!
Bolingbrook
484 W Boughton Road, Suite C
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Normal
706 Oglesby Ave, Suite 200
Normal, IL 61761
Peoria
8500 N Knoxville Ave, Suites A and B
Peoria, IL 61615
How Do I Register?
Registration will open again soon. Stay tuned.
Sessions Topics
- Taking turns
- Tolerating losing
- Personal space awareness
- Manners
- Having non-preferred conversations
- Sharing
- Participating in group activities
- Encouraging others
- Giving compliments
- For older kids (Appropriate text, FaceTime, and phone call etiquette)
- Greeting others
- How to be a good friend
- Advocating for yourself and others
- Trick or treating
- Birthday party – how to behave at both your own and other’s
Benefits for Skill Builders
- Opportunity to work on social skills in a supportive environment with peer models
- Develop new friendships and relationships
- Exposure to new games and activities in a naturalistic setting
- Take homes and visuals can help with generalizing skills across settings
- Improve conversational skills
- Improve overall social skills specific for that child
Benefits for Peer Buddies
- Develop new friendships and relationships
- Learning to accept differences
- Instill compassion and understanding for others
- Build self-esteem as a role model
- Enhanced personal growth
- Increased understanding of other’s differences and how to support that
- Learning the “Be a Buddy not a Bully” concept
Ready to Get Started?
Please complete the new client intake form by clicking on the button below.
When you’re ready to talk, we are ready to listen.