THERAPEUTIC SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAMS -
CHILDREN AND TEENS
Social Skills and Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Social skills are abilities in communication, problem-solving, decision making, self-management, and peer relations that enable us to initiate and maintain positive social relationships with others. A lack of social skills can lead to behavioral problems in school, inattentiveness, peer rejection, emotional difficulties, bullying, difficulty in making friends, aggressiveness, problems in interpersonal relationships, poor self-concept, and depression. Displaying poor social skills can result in rejection by others despite their keen desire to be social. Individuals with ASD and Asperger's Syndrome can be helped to learn social skills through a structured curriculum.
What are Therapeutic Social Skills Programs?
Therapeutic social skills programs provide the opportunity for individuals to develop functional skills that can be used in everyday social settings. Social skills groups teach and reinforce social behaviors. Therapeutic social skills groups are “curriculum driven” and follow a progression. They address the following areas of social development: emotional regulation (self-awareness); non-verbal and play skills (social awareness); conversational skills; and generalizing skills into the community.
Courtesy of: Patricia GrossmanAgency: Westchester Jewish Community Services, Autism Family CenterEmail: pgrossman@wjcs.comPhone: 914-949-7699 x355
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