Inside Our Social Skills Groups: What Kids Practice and Why
Making a friend, joining a game, or handling a disagreement can feel easy for some kids and overwhelming for others. For children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences, these moments often need to be taught and practiced, just like reading or math.
At Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy in Davie, FL, our social skills development program focuses on practical, real-world skills like conversation, cooperation, emotional regulation, and understanding social cues. Here's a look inside our social skills groups: what kids practice, how sessions work, and why each skill matters.
Why practice social skills in a group?
Social skills are learned best with other kids. One-on-one therapy is a great place to learn a new skill, but real friendships happen with peers, who are less predictable and more like the classmates your child sees every day.
A small, guided group gives kids:
- Real practice partners. Peers respond in natural ways, so kids learn to adjust in the moment.
- A safe place to make mistakes. A therapist is right there to coach, pause, and try again, without the pressure of the playground.
- Built-in role models. Kids learn by watching each other, and seeing a peer succeed can be more motivating than any adult explanation.
- A sense of belonging. Many children discover they're not the only one who finds social situations hard, and that alone can build confidence.
What kids practice, and why it matters
Every group is shaped around the children in it, but most sessions draw from these core skill areas.
Skill area
What kids practice
Why it matters
Conversation
Greeting others, asking and answering questions, staying on topic, taking turns talking
Conversation is how friendships start and grow
Cooperation and play
Sharing materials, taking turns, following game rules, working toward a shared goal
Most play at school and at home happens in groups
Understanding social cues
Reading facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and personal space
Cues help kids know how others feel and how to respond
Emotional regulation
Naming feelings, using calming strategies, handling losing or waiting
Staying calm keeps kids in the game and in the friendship
Flexibility
Accepting changes to plans, trying someone else's idea, going with the flow
Social situations rarely go exactly as expected
Problem-solving
Handling disagreements, compromising, apologizing, asking for help
Conflict is normal, and kids need tools to repair it
Empathy and kindness
Noticing when someone is upset, offering help, giving compliments
Compassion builds trust and lasting connections
What a group session looks like
Sessions are structured, playful, and built on evidence-based methods rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). A typical session moves through a few stages:
- Warm-up. Kids greet each other and check in, often by naming how they're feeling that day.
- Learn the skill. The therapist introduces one skill, like joining a conversation, and breaks it into small, clear steps.
- See it in action. The therapist models the skill, sometimes with a short role-play, so kids know exactly what it looks like.
- Practice together. Kids try the skill during games, crafts, or group challenges, with coaching and prompts as needed.
- Celebrate and reflect. Kids get specific praise for what they did well, and the group talks about what worked.
Positive reinforcement is at the center of every step. When kids are rewarded for using a skill, they're more likely to use it again, both in group and out in the world. Over time, therapists fade prompts so kids can use skills on their own.
How we track progress and keep parents involved
Our therapists work closely with families to set goals, track progress, and celebrate each milestone. Each child has individual goals, even in a group setting, and therapists record how often and how independently a child uses each skill.
Parents are key to making skills stick. Kids spend far more time at home and school than in therapy, so we help families practice the same skills in everyday life. Through parent training, you'll learn simple ways to coach your child during playdates, family outings, and daily routines.
We offer both in-person and virtual sessions, so families can choose what works best for their child and schedule.
Signs your child might benefit
Social skills groups can help children on the autism spectrum, kids with ADHD, and any child who needs extra support connecting with others. Your child might benefit if they:
- Have trouble making or keeping friends
- Prefer to play alone or struggle to join a group
- Find it hard to take turns, share, or lose a game
- Miss social cues or have trouble understanding how others feel
- Get upset quickly when plans change
- Struggle to start or keep a conversation going
- Feel anxious or left out at school or social events
If any of these sound familiar, a behavioral assessment can help identify your child's strengths and the skills to focus on first.
Help your child build confidence and connection
Social skills aren't just about making friends. They build confidence, emotional well-being, and the foundation for lifelong success. With practice, coaching, and plenty of encouragement, every child can grow more comfortable in social settings.
Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy offers social skills development for children and teens in and around Davie, FL. Our office is at 12555 Orange Drive, Unit #234, Davie, FL 33330.
Call us at (954) 708-1661 or request an appointment to learn more about our social skills groups.