{"id":1716,"date":"2022-05-19T08:56:14","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T08:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appliedabcstg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=1716"},"modified":"2025-06-23T11:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T15:21:11","slug":"how-social-skills-groups-ssgs-can-help-children-with-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appliedabc.com\/es\/how-social-skills-groups-ssgs-can-help-children-with-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"How Social Skills Groups (SSGs) Can Help Children With Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, children with autism spectrum disorder can learn skills that help them enjoy more fulfilling lives. But a fulfilling life doesn\u2019t just take place in the home.<\/p>\n

What Are Social Skills Groups (SSGs)?<\/h2>\n

Social Skills Groups are small gatherings led by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or ABA therapist that give children an opportunity to focus on specific, personalized goals while playing team games and participating in group activities to improve social skills, emotional intelligence, and self-confidence.<\/p>\n

SSG meetings often include instruction, roleplaying or practice, and feedback to help learners with ASD acquire and practice skills to promote positive social interactions with peers.<\/p>\n

How Can Social Skills Groups Help?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In a recent study<\/a>, forty-\ufb01ve children aged 8\u201312 years old were assigned to one of three groups: An SSG with unstructured play, an SSG with semi-structured play, and a waitlist control group.<\/p>\n

Compared to the\u00a0waitlist control group, children who participated in the SSG showed signi\ufb01cant gains in social skills and social competence over time.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another study<\/a> showed some evidence that social skills groups improve overall social competence, confidence, and friendship quality<\/strong> in the participants. The study\u2019s findings also suggest\u00a0that many SSG participants see a\u00a0decrease in loneliness and an increase in quality relationships as a result of their participation.<\/p>\n

Social Skills Groups\u00a0provide children who are already receiving one-on-one ABA therapy with a unique and enriching opportunity to socialize and interact with others. SSGs also give children a way to practice learned social skills,\u00a0form connections and friendships with other participants, and have fun in a safe environment.<\/p>\n

SSGs can help:<\/strong><\/p>\n