Social Communication Groups
Helping children and teens build authentic, meaningful relationships through supported social learning.
Why Social Communication Skills Matters
We help children and teens learn how to navigate social interactions in a way that’s true to who they are.
Our Social Communication Groups provide a safe, inclusive space for kids to practice skills like perspective-taking, self-advocacy, and relationship-building. With guidance from trained Speech-Language Pathologists, children learn how to form genuine connections based on their strengths, not scripts.
These social learning opportunities help support communication confidence, emotional awareness, friendship skills, and problem-solving, all in a highly structured, nurturing environment.
Our Approach
We believe social communication isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
Our groups are designed to support children in becoming more aware of their own social style while learning how to consider the thoughts, feelings, and needs of others. Through engaging group activities, role play, structured conversations, and self-reflection, participants learn how to communicate with confidence and care.
Sessions are led by trained Speech-Language Pathologists and grouped by age and developmental stage (ages 5–18). Most groups take place in person.
Each session may include:
Real-time, supported social interaction
Group discussion and role-playing
Visual supports and collaborative games
Teaching of tools from Social Thinking® and Zones of Regulation®
Safe, scaffolded peer feedback
Reflection and social behavior mapping
Who benefits from Social Communication Groups?
These groups are ideal for children and teens who may:
Struggle with social anxiety or feel unsure in group settings
Want to make friends but find it hard to connect
Have difficulty understanding others' perspectives or emotions
Need support with conversation skills, turn-taking, or flexibility
Tend to miss social cues or feel overwhelmed in group dynamics
Would benefit from learning strategies for conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and relationship skills
Skills We Focus On
While each group is tailored to the unique needs of its members, common social communication goals include:
Perspective-taking and emotional awareness
Conversation skills like topic maintenance, initiation, and joining a group
Friendship-building strategies
Conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving
Using self-talk to guide social behavior
Self-advocacy and understanding personal communication needs
Vocabulary and frameworks from Social Thinking® and Zones of Regulation®
Social behavior mapping to understand cause and effect in interactions
What Makes Key Connections Different
We approach social communication with respect, care, and intention.
We don’t believe in forcing social “norms” or one-size-fits-all rules. Instead, we help children build self-awareness and learn how to connect with others while honoring their individual personalities and preferences.
At Key Connections, our social communication groups are more than practice; they’re a path toward confidence, connection, and communication that feels authentic.
Schedule A Consultation
Get in touch to schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our speech therapists.