Social Groups

Social Skills Groups at TAP

TAP Social Skills Groups are led by speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, mental health practitioners, and other professionals, and are supported by educators and support staff trained in best practices for children with autism.

We believe that participants will learn through their positive experiences. We provide a safe environment to encourage active participation and practice social skills. Supports we provide to promote success and independence include:

• Built-in physical structure
• Schedules
• Visuals to promote positive communication
• Visuals to enhance social participation
• Incorporated interests and themes
• Working in, respecting, and honoring varied processing times and perspectives. 
• Giving choices

We offer a variety of program options that appeal to a range of interests, ability levels and age groups.
 

Competencies cultivated through our groups include:

• Positive peer relations, reciprocal play, and engaging in shared experiences
• Functional skills in sporting activities, coordination and teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Life skills and independence
• Social judgment
• Body regulation
• Understanding and expressing your emotions
• Building self-esteem

Teaching participants social skills is an area of treatment that is continuously evolving. At The Autism Project, we offer group-based social skills programs designed to strengthen the communication skills and social interaction abilities of children, teens, and young adults.
 

Social Group Plans for Each Child

A licensed clinician identifies individualized objectives for each child participating, develops specialized strategies to target specific communication, emotional regulation, engagement, and social interaction behaviors during group activities, and rates the child’s progress on each objective weekly.

Goals and the child’s achievements are assessed weekly and interventions are evaluated and adjusted to continue to support the child’s progress. Individual Progress Reports are provided at the end of the program to offer insight into your child’s progress. These reports can be a helpful tool when discussing a students’ strengths and needs during school IEP meetings.

The Social Skills Group application is thorough so our team learns about your child's strengths and needs. Please complete the form with as much information as you can. If your child is new to The Autism Project, bring the ICD-10 form to their pediatrician's office and ask them to complete and fax to us. This is required for insurance purposes.

• Fax the completed application to the Department Assistant: Nancy Reyes at 401-785-2272.
• Once the application is received and reviewed, a program staff member will reach out to schedule an intake appointment to review group offerings and family goals to assist with placement.
• Program staff will contact you with your child’s placement in groups
• Time to have fun in groups!