Social
Skills
Jenny Owens M.S., BCBA-LBA
Socializing is Hard!
Socializing is especially hard for children struggling with:
Low Self Esteem
Poor Perspective Taking
Heightened Social Anxiety
Limited Emotional Coping Skills
(and more).
Social Skills,
Re-imagined
Our mission is to be different, and better, than any social skills instruction available today.
Why?
Simple- people are told a hundred times a day how they should interact with their peers.
Kids (and adults) are told how they should handle bullying, how to talk to new people, and what they should do when they fight with a friend.
The painful social challenges that children are facing are typically not because they do not know what to do.
We have found that the secret to teaching our clients to develop meaningful relationships and feel successful in their social interactions is to focus on confidence, emotional maturity, and coping skills. All while providing a safe place for them to learn, fail, practice, and succeed.
Building Lasting Connections
Confidence and emotional maturity are essential traits for navigating the complex landscape of social interactions.
When children are confident, they are more likely to approach others with ease and assertiveness.
Additionally, confident children are more likely to have a better sense of self-worth and are less likely to feel intimidated or overwhelmed by new social situations and have an easier time avoiding peer pressure.
Emotional maturity involves having the ability to recognize and regulate one's own emotions, as well as being able to empathize with others and understand their feelings.
Children who possess emotional maturity are better equipped to handle conflicts and disagreements, as they are able to communicate their own needs and desires in a constructive manner while being receptive to the needs of others.
Together, confidence and emotional maturity are a powerful combination of skills that help children build strong, lasting friendships that will serve them well throughout their lives.
How It Works
Application
Our promise to you is that your child will only be invited to join us if we know that we have a group that will best support their growth and areas of need. Once we receive your application, we will contact you for the next steps.
Individualized Assessment and Goals
Your child's goals are unique to them. Prior to official enrollment a social skills assessment will be conducted by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and/or a Speech and Language Pathologist. This will include a parent interview and an observation of your child. All findings and goals will be reviewed with you.
This process takes approximately 60 minutes and is billed at the same rate as the weekly classes.
Evidence Based Curriculum
Our curriculum is created by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and combines hands on behavioral practice with psychology-based learning that supports your child's growth both in terms of concrete social skills and their emotional wellbeing.
Weekly Meetings
Weekly classes center on a specific goal and features a lesson, an organized group activity, and supervised free time to practice new skills. Progress is monitored for every child and modifications are made as needed to best support their progress.
Each class is 60 minutes. At the start and end of the class, there is an optional 15 minutes of additional non-instructional time which can be used for homework or continued socializing.
Current Group Schedule
**This schedule is subject to change. We are adding new groups all the time! Ages are a guideline, all participants are placed in the group that most aligns with their skills set and goals.
4-6 In Development
7-9 In Development
9-11.5 Saturday 9:30-10:30am
12-14 Thursday 5:30-6:30pm
14.5-17 In Development
18+ Varies based on a group preference (often Monday or Friday 11:30am-12:30pm)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are These Classes For?
Everyone! Social Skills classes create significant benefits for all participants.
Groups are created based on age, current skill set, and social goals. Our goal is to have groups starting at age 3 with no upper age limit, serving both neurotypical and neurodivergent participants. When you apply we will either let you know which group we think is best, or how long we think it will take to create the right group.
In order to be successful in weekly classes, participants must have the ability to communicate either vocally or with the use of an AAC device. They must also be able to participate with minimal to moderate adult support and without engaging in behaviors that may harm others. Participants are welcome to bring any 1:1 support required to ensure participation and safety!
How Long Is The Program and When Can We Start?
Classes happen weekly with a recommended minimum commitment of three-month. While lessons build on each other over time, each class has its own curriculum so participants can sign up and join at any point in the month.
Each class is 60 minutes. At the end of the class, there is an optional 15 minutes of additional non-instructional time which can be used for homework or continued socializing.
How Much Is The Program And Do You Take Insurance?
Classes are $70 per session and payment is collected weekly. We do not submit claims directly to insurance however you will be provided a superbill to request reimbursement from your insurance company. This depends on your specific coverage and may require a diagnosis of autism or a related disorder.
What Kinds Of Skills Are Taught?
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
Social initiation
Effective Communication/ Advocating for self
Conflict Resolution
Conversation: responding to questions, asking for more information, maintaining conversation across a variety of topics
Perspective Taking
Flexibility
Game play: turn taking, sportsmanship
Responding to nonverbal social cues
Emotional Regulation
Independence
Self Confidence
Where Are You Located?
Locations vary per age group. Current locations:
-Round Rock Children’s Therapy Center 12 Chisholm Trail Rd STE 100, Round Rock, TX 78681
-Round Rock Library 200 E Liberty Ave, Round Rock, TX 78664
-Community based activities Austin and surrounding areas
We are working to expand to online groups and add locations across Austin!
What About Siblings?
We love when siblings sign up together! Siblings in similar age groups may benefit from being in the same group, though all placement decisions will be made based on the intake assessment. When siblings sign up the price per class is discounted by $10 for each child!
Sample Session Schedule
Arrival: greetings, free time (practice previously learned social skills)
Goal setting: introduce class topic, discussion about personal goals
Movement/ Grounding/ Sensory Exercise
Lesson 1: Group activity explaining topic, guided practice
Lesson 2: Peer led practice using new skills
Free time: Opportunity to practice new skill
Movement/ Grounding/ Sensory Exercise
Reflection: Peer support and reflection
Celebration: Recognition of strengths, goal setting for next week