Social Skills Group

Pediatric Social Skills Groups in Speech and Language Therapy
Social skills groups are structured therapy sessions designed to help children develop and practice communication and interaction skills in a supportive, group setting. These groups are typically led by a speech-language pathologist (SLP)and may include children with social communication difficulties due to autism, ADHD, speech/language delays, or pragmatic language disorders.
 
Goals of Social Skills Groups
  1. Improving Conversation Skills
    • Initiating and maintaining conversations
    • Asking and answering questions appropriately
    • Staying on topic and taking turns
  2. Understanding Nonverbal Communication
    • Recognizing facial expressions and body language
    • Using gestures and eye contact appropriately
       
  3. Enhancing Social Problem-Solving
    • Learning how to handle conflicts
    • Understanding personal space and boundaries
    • Practicing emotional regulation strategies
  4. Building Play and Group Interaction Skills
    • Engaging in cooperative play and teamwork
    • Sharing, compromising, and taking others’ perspectives
  5. Developing Self-Advocacy and Confidence
    • Learning how to express needs appropriately
    • Understanding and respecting different viewpoints
Who Benefits from Social Skills Groups?
Children who:
    • Have difficulty making and keeping friends
    • Struggle with turn-taking, personal space, or maintaining eye contact
    • Need support understanding social cues and emotions
    • Benefit from structured social practice in a small group
How Are These Groups Structured?
    • Small groups (typically 3–6 children)
    • Role-playing and interactive games
    • Storytelling and social scripts
    • Video modeling and visual supports
    • Parent training to reinforce skills at home
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