This 6-week intensive, hands-on program offers social skills training, using evidence-based strategies to help improve the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. The training will focus on how to make and maintain friends, as well as socially acceptable ways to handle conflict and rejection. Students will have the opportunity to comfortably interact with peers their age who have the common goal of friendship, and the safety and security to connect within their community.
Skills targeted in the program include: Two-Way Conversation, Choosing Appropriate Friends, Use of Humor, Starting and Joining Conversations, Exiting Conversations, Get-Togethers, Handling Arguments and Handling Bullying. Students will be given homework assignments to promote their new skills throughout the week in their natural environment. Parental involvement is encouraged to best promote generalization and maintenance of skills.
Student Requirements:
*Students ages 10-18
-Group 1: Preteen ages 10-13; (4:15 PM- 5:15 PM) Group 2: Teen ages 14-18 (5:30 PM- 6:30 PM)
*This program is for High Functioning Level 1 Autism, without significant intellectual disabilities.
*Students must have the ability to attend instruction in a group of 10 individuals.
*Students must have the ability to attend instruction for a full hour.
*Students must possess high verbal skills.
*****Due to the fact that our groups use group instruction, group members are required to have conversational language, toilet independently, and not engage in aggressive or self-injurious behaviors. If we do not have the resources to meet your child’s needs in social skills groups, we will provide referrals to other services.******
If you would like for your child to participate in this program, please fill out the online intake form here: https://forms.gle/FA45Jnw28YT7pyQP8
Once your intake form is examined, you will be contacted by our staff. For questions, please contact LAF Program Coordinator, Sophia Townes, 843-800-7171 ext. 3; stownes@lafinc.org
