WHAT ARE SOCIAL SKILLS?
Social Skills are a set of behaviors that allow a child to get along
better with other people. A child with adequate social skills can adjust well
to changes in his environment and can avoid verbal and physical confrontations with other people. A child who has poorly developed social skills, however, may have poor self-esteem, may display conduct
problems (fighting, arguing, defying adults), and may have difficulty developing peer relationships.
WHAT IS A SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP?
Social
skills groups focus on teaching children a variety of social skills to help improve their ability to make and keep friends,
develop more self-confidence, and behave more appropriately. Role-plays and group
interaction will give the children opportunities to practice these skills during the group session. The therapist will utilize behavioral reinforcement to promote rule compliance, participation, and use
of appropriate social skills, while also encouraging and reinforcing the children to practice these skills outside of the
session. Objective information regarding the children’s behavior will be
gathered before and after the group to measure the children’s progress and parents will be provided with written feedback
at the conclusion of each group.
AGES:
Children
between the ages of 6 and 17 may participate. Groups will be formed based upon
age.
GROUPS CONDUCTED BY:
Mark Cooperberg, Ph.D, will
conduct the groups. Dr. Cooperberg is a licensed psychologist with extensive
experience with children of all ages and numerous diagnoses, including AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety
Disorders, and behavior disorders.
WHEN?
The
groups will take place over the course of 8-12 sessions. Each session will be
held on a weekday, most likely in the late afternoon/early evening hours. Groups
will run throughout the year, based on need (at least 4 children are needed, with no more than 8 children in a group). The sessions will include children only, but there will also be a parent meeting before
the first session and after the last session to provide feedback and recommendations.
FEE:
Please contact the office for the current fees and for more information.
