Social Groups
Social Groups
Therapist-led groups designed to help children build social confidence, connection, and real-world interaction skills.
Our Social Groups provide a supportive, therapist-led environment where children work alongside peers of similar developmental levels to build social, emotional, communication, and regulation skills. These groups are led by pediatric occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists and are designed to help children apply therapeutic strategies in a natural, meaningful setting.
The group format allows children to practice skills during spontaneous peer interactions, helping them develop confidence and independence while building meaningful social connections.
Through participation in Social Groups, children develop:
- Social communication skills, including initiating and maintaining conversations
- Understanding social cues and perspectives
- Emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Peer interaction skills, including cooperation, turn-taking, and problem-solving
- Confidence in group settings
- Flexibility with transitions and unexpected changes
- Self-awareness and self-regulation
Therapist-Led and Therapeutically Designed
Each group is guided by licensed pediatric therapists who provide structured activities and real-time coaching to support skill development. Therapists help children learn and practice strategies that improve their ability to navigate social situations successfully.
The group setting provides opportunities for children to generalize skills learned in individual therapy into real-life interactions with peers.
Learning Through Natural Peer Interaction
Social Groups provide a unique opportunity for children to practice skills in a dynamic, interactive environment. Rather than practicing skills in isolation, children learn through shared activities, games, and conversations that reflect real-world social experiences.
This approach helps children build practical skills that transfer to school, community, and everyday life.
Movement-Based Social Groups: Functional Fitness Group
Some of our Social Groups incorporate movement as a central component of the therapeutic experience. Our Functional Fitness Group, led by a pediatric physical therapist, combines therapist-guided exercises with opportunities for peer interaction and social development.
This group focuses on improving:
- Strength and endurance
- Coordination and balance
- Body awareness and motor planning
- Confidence in physical abilities
- Participation in group physical activities
At the same time, children benefit from the social component of working alongside peers, practicing communication, cooperation, and encouragement in a supportive environment.
The combination of physical activity and social interaction allows children to build both motor skills and social confidence in a natural, engaging setting. This group is especially beneficial for children who may benefit from improving physical strength, coordination, and endurance while also developing social connections.
Parent Communication and Support
Therapists provide ongoing communication and feedback to help families understand their child’s progress and provide strategies to support continued growth outside of the group setting.
Our goal is to help children develop the confidence, skills, and connections needed to successfully participate in social environments.
If you are interested in learning more about our Social Groups, please contact our office for additional information and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need to be receiving individual therapy to participate?
All children begin with an initial consultation with the lead therapist to help determine whether a Social Group is the best fit and whether individual therapy sessions may also be recommended. Some children participate in both individual therapy and Social Groups, while others benefit from the group experience alone. This consultation process allows us to ensure each child receives the level of support that is most appropriate for their individual needs and goals.
How do Social Groups help my child outside of the clinic?
The group setting allows children to practice skills in real-time interactions with peers, which helps them apply these skills in everyday environments such as school, community activities, and social settings. Therapists also provide strategies that can be used at home and in other settings to support continued progress.
How are Social Groups different from regular playgroups?
Social Groups are led by licensed pediatric therapists and are intentionally designed to support the development of social communication, emotional regulation, and peer interaction skills. Therapists provide guidance, coaching, and structured activities to help children learn and practice specific strategies. This therapeutic support allows children to build skills in a way that is more individualized and developmentally informed than a typical playgroup.