Service
Social skills training
Building meaningful connections, confidence, and social competence through evidence-based programs
What Is Social Skills Training?
Social skills training uses ABA-based strategies to help individuals with ASD develop the skills needed to interact, communicate, and build relationships with others.
Social interactions come naturally to many people, but for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, understanding social cues, initiating conversations, and maintaining friendships can be a significant challenge. Our social skills training programs break down these complex social behaviors into teachable, learnable steps.
Using structured ABA techniques — including modeling, role-playing, video modeling, social stories, and natural environment teaching — our BCBAs and RBTs help clients practice and master social skills in safe, supportive settings before applying them in real-world situations.
Program Goals
Our social skills programs target specific, measurable outcomes that make a real difference in daily life.
Communication
Improve the ability to express needs, share ideas, ask questions, and engage in reciprocal conversations across settings.
Friendship Building
Develop the skills to make and keep friends, including joining group activities, showing empathy, and resolving conflicts.
Emotional Regulation
Learn to identify, understand, and manage emotions in social situations, reducing anxiety and meltdowns in social settings.
Social Confidence
Build the self-esteem and motivation to approach social situations independently, without avoidance or excessive anxiety.
Individual vs. Group Training
We offer both formats to meet each client's needs and readiness level.
Individual Sessions
One-on-one social skills instruction with an RBT, supervised by a BCBA. Ideal for building foundational skills before group settings.
- Personalized attention and pacing
- Safe space to practice new skills
- Intensive skill-building focus
- Flexible scheduling
Group Sessions
Small-group social skills practice with peers of similar ages and abilities. The most natural way to practice real-world social interactions.
- Real peer interaction practice
- Learn from observing others
- Collaborative activities & games
- Friendship-building opportunities
Programs by Age
We tailor our social skills programs to meet the developmental needs of each age group.
Early Childhood (Ages 2–5)
Foundational social skills including joint attention, eye contact, turn-taking, parallel play, shared play, and basic greetings. We teach these skills through play-based interactions that feel natural and fun.
- Joint attention & eye contact
- Turn-taking & sharing
- Imitation & parallel play
- Basic greetings & farewells
School-Age (Ages 6–12)
More complex social skills for school success: starting and maintaining conversations, reading body language, cooperative play, handling disagreements, and building friendships with peers.
- Conversation skills (initiating, maintaining, ending)
- Understanding social cues & body language
- Cooperative play & group activities
- Conflict resolution & perspective-taking
Teens & Adults (13+)
Advanced social skills for navigating adolescence and adulthood: workplace interactions, dating and relationships, self-advocacy, digital communication etiquette, and community participation.
- Workplace social skills
- Relationship building & boundaries
- Self-advocacy & assertiveness
- Digital & phone communication
Help Your Child Build Lasting Friendships
Social skills training is part of our comprehensive ABA programs. Contact us to learn which format is right for your child.
Questions?
Call (786) 652-6945 or email info@americaninstituteofmentalhealth.com.