Our belief is that children need effective communication skills as a foundation for the successful participation in activities at home, school, and in the community. We strive to build these critical skills so that children are prepared to fully participate in the world in which they live.

Our goal is to give children with potential or existing challenges the best opportunities to maximize their success. With enough successful opportunities to practice these evolving skills, we believe children and adults can make fundamental changes in their self-image, confidence, and ability to relate to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Who will benefit from Socialization Groups?

  • Children who appear lonely, feel left out, or who have no one to play with or “hang out” with at recess or lunch.
  • Children who complain that “nobody likes me,” or “I don’t have any friends.”
  • Children who complain about being teased by peers.
  • Children who have difficulty with competition and losing.
  • Children who have trouble initiating and maintaining social conversations.
  • Children who have difficulty interpreting non-verbal social cues such as body language, facial expressions, or personal space.

2.  What are the types of common diagnosis that we see in  the children we serve?

  • Children with Autism/Spectrum Disorders
  • Children with Social or Generalized Anxiety
  • Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
  • Children with Pragmatic Language Disorder
  • Children who need help developing Interaction Skills (may act out or withdraw in social situations)

3.  Do we need an initial social skills assessment for our child?

An initial assessment is essential in providing both the parents/caregiver and social coaches with information to help the child as a team. Based on the initial meeting we are able to help make decisions about what services we provide will be needed. Social skill goals will be developed during this assessment time. The assessment appointment is approximately one hour long.

4.  What skills can Socially Speaking help our child gain?

Our social coaches are trained in the I-LAUGH Model, developed by award winner speech-language pathologist, Michelle Garcia Winner. This model helps provide us with a framework within which to develop goals and direct the treatment process. Please see www.socialthinking.com for more information regarding Ms. Winner.

Skills Targeted in Group May Include the Following:

  • Non-Verbal and Verbal Communication
  • Turn-Taking (play and verbal)
  • Emotional Regulation and Self-Control
  • Initiating and Maintaining Conversation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Problem Solving
  • Group Dynamics and More
  • Increased self-esteem and self-confidence

5.  How long and how often are the social skills sessions?

Groups run 1 to 1.5 hrs and meet on a weekly basis.

6.  Does Socially Speaking mix boys and girls together?

Typically, our groups are separated by gender in order to allow children to best address the challenges with which which they are dealing.

7.  Is Socially Speaking vendored with Alta Regional Center?

Socially Speaking is not vendored with Alta Regional Center. Our services are fee for service, however, we do hold a set number of slots for a sliding scale payments.

8.  Is Socially Speaking covered by insurance?

Although we do not bill insurance companies directly, we provide all of our parents with a detailed invoice which indicates the services provided.  Several of our Socially Speaking families have been successful at receiving reimbursement through their insurance companies. PPO plans generally reimburse for some portion of social skills services.

9.  Are services for the family available?

At Socially Speaking we have on staff  Nicole Mank, MFT, who serves as our parent educator/parent advocate. She is available to meet with parents by appointment, the cost of which is included in the initial assessment fee.

10. Do you offer any parent education classes?

We offer evening parent classes on various topics such as red-flags for preschool aged children, anxiety, IEP process, sensory processing disorder, etc. These classes are typically offered on Wednesday evenings. Please contact Socially Speaking for upcoming sessions. These classes are offered to any parents in the community, however, there is a small fee for non-Socially Speaking families.