girl attends therapy session with young female child psychologist

Social Skills Classes for Younger Children (Pre-School Age)

At Beyond the Spectrum (BTS), we recognize the critical importance of early social skill development. For children who are not yet in school, we offer daily social skills classes designed to prepare them for successful interactions with peers and adults. These classes are structured to support younger children in learning essential social behaviors, such as making eye contact, taking turns, sharing, and understanding the basic rules of social interaction.

Social skills are foundational for building positive relationships, fostering emotional regulation, and increasing confidence in social situations. Our program focuses on helping children develop the skills needed to engage in play, interact with other children, and participate in group activities. These daily sessions provide a consistent, supportive environment where children can practice and refine their abilities, preparing them for future success in school settings and beyond.

By focusing on social interactions in a structured setting, children learn how to navigate everyday social situations, which promotes a sense of belonging and helps them feel more comfortable in new environments. These classes aim to create a strong social foundation that will serve them throughout their lives, ensuring they are ready to engage with others when they enter school and beyond.

kid is learning skills that don't come naturally because of ADHD, like listening and paying attention better

Fostering Early Social Skills for Lifelong Connections: Helping Kids 18 Months to 3 Years Thrive Through ABA Therapy

Building a strong foundation for social development in young children is essential! In our ABA therapy center, we focus on key social skills like turn-taking, emotional recognition, and responding to interactions to help kids ages 18 months to 3 years engage confidently with the world around them.

Here are some examples of key social skills that we focus on for this age group:

  • Initiating and Responding to Social Interactions: Encouraging children to initiate greetings (e.g., waving, saying “hi”) and respond to others (e.g., responding to their name being called or waving back).
  • Turn-Taking: Teaching children to take turns during activities such as games, sharing toys, or engaging in simple conversations to promote social reciprocity.
  • Eye Contact: Helping children establish and maintain appropriate eye contact during interactions to enhance communication and engagement with others.
  • Emotional Recognition and Expression: Assisting children in identifying and labeling basic emotions (e.g., happy, sad, angry) and expressing their feelings appropriately through words, gestures, or facial expressions.
  • Following Simple Social Cues: Supporting children in understanding and responding to basic social cues, such as following instructions (e.g., “Please give me the toy”) or recognizing when it is their turn to speak during a conversation.

These social skills help build a foundation for positive social interactions and set the stage for developing more complex social behaviors as children grow.

kid is learning skills that don't come naturally because of ADHD

Social Skills Classes for School-Aged Children (Weekly Sessions)

For children who are already in school, Beyond the Spectrum (BTS) offers weekly social skills classes to further enhance their ability to engage with peers inschool environments. These classes are designed to build on the social skills children have developed and provide more advanced strategies for navigating complexsocial situations that occur during school hours.

In these weekly sessions, children participate in group discussions and interactive activities that focus on important social skills such as conflict resolution, understanding nonverbal cues, making and maintaining friendships, and communicating effectively with classmates and teachers. The goal is to help children build stronger relationships, manage social challenges, and develop the self-confidence necessary to thrive in a school setting.

Social interactions can be complex, and children often face challenges in navigating group dynamics, handling peer pressure, and understanding emotional cues from others. Our program offers a safe, supportive space where children can practice these skills in a structured, guided setting. Each session encourages active participation, role-playing, and positive reinforcement, helping children develop the confidence and skills to engage successfully in various social contexts.

These weekly sessions are particularly beneficial for children who may struggle with social cues or find it challenging to make and keep friends. The social skills they learn in these classes help them feel more comfortable in group settings, and they can take these lessons directly into their school environments, improving their overall school experience

Building a strong foundation for social development in young children is essential! In our ABA therapy center, we focus on key social skills like turn-taking, emotional recognition, and responding to interactions to help kids ages 18 months to 3 years engage confidently with the world around them.

At Beyond the Spectrum, we are committed to supporting the social and emotional development of children at every stage of their growth. Our tailored social skills programs are designed to address the unique needs of children from Pre-K through middle school, helping them build essential life skills to navigate their relationships and environments. From self-control and emotional management to collaboration and conflict resolution, our programs equip children with the tools they need to thrive both in and outside the classroom.

Empowering children at every stage of their development with essential social skills, from building self-control in Pre-K to mastering peer relationships in middle school. At BTS, we help children gain the confidence to navigate the world around them with success.

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PRESCHOOL – 2ND GRADE
  • SELF-CONTROL
  • ACCEPTING “NO”
  • FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS
  • RESPECTING PERSONAL SPACE
  • RECOGNIZING AND MANAGING EMOTIONS
  • BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
ELEMENTARY 3RD – 4TH GRADE
  • INCREASING SELF-AWARENESS AND CONTROL
  • OBSERVING AND LEARNING FROM PEERS
  • ENHANCING ATTENTION AND FOCUS
  • MANAGING EMOTIONS EFFECTIVELY
  • RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY TO TEASING
  • BUILDING INDEPENDENCE
  • PRACTICING GOOD MANNERS
INTERMEDIATE 5TH – 6TH GRADE
  • INCREASING SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF-CONTROL
  • IMPROVING CONVERSATION SKILLS
  • PARTICIPATING IN GROUP ACTIVITIES
  • COLLABORATING WITH OTHERS
  • HANDLING PEER CONFLICTS
  • DEVELOPING BULLYING RESISTANCE SKILLS
  • STRESS MANAGEMENT
TWEEN 7TH – 8TH GRADE
  • HANDLING REJECTION AND CRITICISM
  • ANGER AND ANXIETY MANAGEMENT
  • USING HUMOR APPROPRIATELY
  • PERSONAL HYGIENE
  • PROMOTING INDEPENDECE
  • PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

To learn more about our services, click here.