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Call us today! 732-639-1551
Speech-Language & Occupational Therapy
Social Skills Groups
We now offer fun, effective therapeutic
social skills groups led by our experienced
Speech-Language Pathologists!
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Our groups are appropriate for children ages 3 and up, and they are organized by age. During groups, we will target various age-appropriate social skills, including but not limited to taking turns, waiting, personal space, conversational skills, perspective-taking, losing/winning gracefully, and expected/unexpected behaviors. Lessons will be tailored to the needs of the group.
Using a proprietary blend of Social Thinking® concepts and materials along with other evidenced-based approaches, we will assist your child in meeting social communication milestones that will support their ability to learn in a group environment and maintain relationships with the peers and adults in their lives.
Groups will occur weekly in our spacious, kid-friendly sensory gym. We will incorporate movement into every session to keep our attendees engaged. Join us for fun-filled learning experiences!
The Inherent Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy offers a unique opportunity for your child to target classroom skills in a smaller setting with knowledgeable, patient professionals. Skills such as turn-taking, waiting, peer interaction, and following directions are targeted incidentally in a group setting, in addition to the goals your child will work towards. Children look forward to social group week after week and view it more as a play group than therapy. Wondering if your child can benefit? See below to see if they are on target with their social communication development.
Social Communication
Milestones
3–4 Years
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engages in longer dialogues
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anticipates next turn at talking
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terminates conversation; appropriately role-plays
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uses fillers—such as “yeah” and “okay”— to acknowledge a partner’s message
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begins code-switching and uses simpler language when talking to very young children
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uses more elliptical responses, such as “Mommy went home, I didn’t”
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requests permission
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begins using language for fantasies, jokes, and teasing
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makes conversational repairs when not understood and corrects others
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infers information from a story and infers indirect meanings
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uses primitive narratives—events follow from the central core
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uses inferences in stories
4–5 Years
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uses indirect requests; correctly uses deictic terms (e.g., this, that, here, there)
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uses twice as many effective utterances as 3-year-olds to discuss emotions and feelings
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uses narrative development characterized by unfocused chains—stories have a sequence of events but no central character or theme
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develops basic understanding of theory of mind, including judgment that another person may have a belief that differs from the truth
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shifts topics rapidly
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shows fantasy schemes in play
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understands that beliefs can result in predictable emotions
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understands that someone may feel the same way when experiencing a similar event
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uses co-missives/promises
School-Age Years (6–12 Years)
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demonstrates increased understanding of theory of mind (predicting what one person is thinking about what another person is thinking or feeling; understands strategies to hide deceit, recognizes sarcasm)
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provides assistance and demonstrates altruism
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uses narrative development characterized by causally sequenced events using “story grammar”
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demonstrates improved conversational skills (e.g., topic maintenance, repair, and increased number of turns)
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extends topic of conversation
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demonstrates refined social conventions
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demonstrates metapragmatic skills—child is able to think about social and conversational rules
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uses language for varied functions, including persuading and advancing one’s opinion
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understands that people can feel multiple emotions at the same time
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practices increased self-regulation
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uses indirect requests
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uses inferential language
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uses ambiguous language (figurative)
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uses sarcasm
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uses double meanings (puns)
Older Adolescence Into Adulthood
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uses verbal and nonverbal language competently and flexibly
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navigates multiple registers flexibly and fluidly
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demonstrates refined understanding and use of nonverbal behavior
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can explain idioms and nuanced figurative language
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develops close friendships and romantic relationships
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continues to develop empathy
(Reference: American Speech Language Hearing Association https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/social-communication-disorder/social-communication-benchmarks/
Group Specifics
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Who leads the groups?
Social Skills groups are facilitated by a licensed speech-language pathologist and a therapy aide.
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Can I use my insurance?
Yes, however, coverage is at the out-of-network level and submitting for reimbursement is your responsibility. We are happy to provide paid invoices as needed.
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What is the cost?
We require a 6-week commitment and the cost is $300.
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How long are groups?
Groups are 45 minutes each and will occur on the same day/time every week.
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What is the group size?
We maintain the integrity of our groups with a low student to staff ratio. Groups consist of a maximum of six children.
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How do I register my child?
Call 732-639-1551 or email us info@littlebirdsspeechtherapy.com to join the fun!