Program Description: Social Skills Learning Groups for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Grades 1-6

• The program focuses on helping children and pre-adolescents develop greater awareness and understanding of perspectives different from their own as a means for improving conversation skills, developing relationships with peers, playing cooperatively, handling conflict and developing self regulation.
• The individual needs of participants are considered in the formation of groups so that those with similar abilities in language, cognition and social awareness are grouped together. Groups are also clustered by age. Three to five children are assigned to a group with 2-3 adults.
• Assessment occurs at the start of the session and brief progress reports are provided at the conclusion of each session.
• Dr. Susan DeLuke from The College of Saint Rose supervises the group sessions which are conducted by Saint Rose students enrolled in coursework on autism spectrum disorders.
• Homework assignments are a mandatory and important part of the program. These are given each week and carried out with the cooperation of family members and school staff.
• Regular attendance is expected of participants.