Group Therapy
Social Skills Groups for ages 7-12 and ages 13-17 plus a simultaneous parent training group
Groups are continuously forming!
Social Skills Groups for Children and Teens with Asperger’s Disorder/High Functioning Autism, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and other youth needing help developing social skills and making friends using the UCLA Parenting & Children’s Friendship Program developed and in use at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
Children’s Friendship Group (ages 7-12): This 12-week program is designed for children in elementary school (starting end of 1st grade). During each group session children learn a new skill, practice with group members, receive coaching on their play skills and are given a homework assignment in which they try out their newly learned skill. (*First grade policy: Seven year old first graders are accepted into the program starting April/May of their first grade year). Enrollment is limited to 10 children per class.
Parent participation is required. Parents attend a concurrent class and will learn how to help their children make and keep friends by using the skills we teach in our program.
Your Child Will Learn:
- Conversational skills
- How to make a good first impression
- How to “play detective” to find common interests
- How to join a group of kids at play
- How to handle rejection, teasing and bullying
- How to be a good host on a play date
- How to be a good winner
- How to be a good sport
- How to show respect to adult supervisors
PEERS (ages 13-17): This is a comprehensive 14-week program that addresses issues such as developing conversational skills, choosing friends, using humor, get-togethers, teasing, bullying, gossiping, and handling disagreements. Each session includes handouts, homework assignments, descriptions of what to expect (and how to handle challenges in delivering the intervention), and customized tips for both parents. Parent participation is required. Parents attend a concurrent class.
Fees: Children’s group: $65 per week plus a one-time intake fee. The fee covers both the child’s group ($45) and the parent’s group ($20). Teen group: $75 per week plus a one-time intake fee.
Many insurance companies may cover part of the cost of the program; however we cannot guarantee that our services will be covered by any particular health insurance program. We will help you understand your insurance coverage at the time of the intake call.
Next steps:
Call our office at 509-456-3600 to complete a brief phone screen
Complete and return your enrollment packet
Come in (parent and child) for a 1-hour intake appointment with one of our clinicians to determine if our program is appropriate for you and your child.
