Social Skills Group

Service Description

Implementation of group-based behavioral therapy services to target an increase in socially significant skills with peers. Social Skill Group Teaching Modality: Group leaders commit to tailoring evidence-based practices based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Mindfulness training with a progressive, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-informed approach. This means that group leaders commit to only targeting socially meaningful goals while ensuring each group member displays assent and willingness to participate in group activities. Social skills group is held within a neurodiversity-inclusive space which honors everyone’s sensory needs while also allowing for learning to occur in various group setting arrangements (e.g., large collaborative table space, couch and bean bag seating, computer access). Verbal instruction, modeling, role-playing, and feedback will be utilized throughout the learning process. Visual supports, video role modeling, hands-on practice activities, collaborative group feedback discussions, and community outings will enhance generalization of skills learned within group to other settings. Skills that can be targeted and practiced within group sessions can include (but are not limited to) the following examples: perspective taking and building empathy, understanding and responding to subtle or non-verbal social cues, friendship skills, conversation skills, self-management skills, navigating breakdowns in communication, navigating community outings. and much more! Current Focus Group Offerings: - Ascending Learners: Target members for this group include tweens/early teens learning how to make and maintain friendships while navigating novel social environments. The Ascending Learning Social Skill Group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm at LIFE, INC in Savannah, GA. - Intermediate Learners: Target members for this group include late teens/early 20 year old's navigating transition into independent living/ adulthood. The Intermediate Social Skills Group meets weekly on Tuesdays from 5:45 - 7:15 pm at LIFE, INC in Savannah, GA. - Advanced Learners: Target members for this group include neurodiverse adults living independently but looking for a neurodiversity accepting community. The Advanced Learner Social Skills Group schedule is TBD.