Social skills groups are designed for students who are ready for group instruction. Our groups utilize an activity-based format with an emphasis on recreation/leisure skills, pragmatic language, teamwork and social skills.  Social outings and community service projects are incorporated into the group structure to teach community skills.  Our social skills groups are intense in both time and commitment as our program runs year round. All groups are arranged by age and ability.  Social skills group participants should posses the following basic readiness skills:

• Imitation (both verbal and non-verbal)

• Basic play and leisure skills

• The ability to follow schedules and group directions

• A desire to be with peers

• Toilet trained

Realizing the need to provide a continuum of services for our students, The Autism Project has created Recreation and Leisure Development (RLD) groups.  These groups will be run in a TEACCH style format utilizing station work and individual schedules.  The groups will be broken into four components: sensory motor skills, play/leisure skills, a snack and a "together" activity. RLD groups are geared for students who need greater structure, smaller group sizes and additional visual supports.  These groups may also be beneficial to students who have struggled in our traditional social skills groups or lack the basic readiness skills to participate.