Social Skills Groups & Therapists
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March 2008
My 5yo son has a mild social development delay. I'm looking for a coach/therapist
and/or group to help (me help) him with social skills. Any ideas?
mom
Check out Communication Works in Oakland 510.639.2929. Our 8 yr. old has
been in a facilitated group for 2 years and it's helped our family
dynamics immensely. Archives:
http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/therapy/socialskills.html
Anon.
Nov 2007
It has been recommended to us to look for a social group
experience for our 6th grade girl going to King. As in
elementary school, she continues to be uncomfortable
approaching her peers both at school and otherwise to chat
or engage. She is quite anxious in social situations with
peers but does well with adults.
We are looking for recommendations for a therapist that
provides a group for middle school girls to address
cliques, peer pressure, popularity, changing bodies and
other new challenges in this phase of life. Thanks.
parent of growing pre-teen
Linda Pazdirek, MFT, facilitates a group for middle school
girls. She is warm and lovely.
http://www.lindapazdirek.com/girls_group.html
anon
Oct 2007
I've seen the postings about social skills classes for older kids, but I
have a 4.5-year old who might need one. She is still having trouble with
aggression, patience, and turn-taking, and it's affecting her socially. We
work with a child psychologist, but we're thinking that it would be
beneficial for a professional to see her in a group situation. Is there
anything like this for preschoolers?
Non-aggressive Mom
Call the Ann Martin Center in Oakland. They have a social
skills group for preschoolers, boys and girls. My son
participated at age 5 and we found it helpful. Ann Martin
Center is pricey but very good at what they do.
anon
We just started our 8 year old with Dr. Kathryn McCarthy's
social skills group. She's a licensed clinical psychologist in
Berkeley and reportedly starts groups as early as preschool.
She works with a group on building social skills. 510-649-3399
anon
Hi, my son has done social skills groups with Communication
Works and they were very helpful for the skills you mention. I
know they do have a group for 4yr olds. They have recently
moved to an office on Keller Ave in Oakland and have a new
phone number 510-639-2929. They also have a website
www.cwtherapy.com
best wishes,
Laura
Sept 2006
Hello:
My 14 years old son struggles with shyness and lack of social skills. Can any of
you recommend a group that focuses on these issues? Lamorinda would be most
convenient, Walnut Creek and Berkeley are possible. Thanks mother
My daughter is in a social group with Maria Antoniadis PhD,
2999 Regent St, Berkeley, CA 94705 (510) 649-3399. She is very
good. Also I ecently saw an organization, Abilility (?), offer
social groups in Berkeley, and Walnut Creek. I don't know anyone
who has used that organization, but their website looks really good.
annon
I'm a teacher and I've heard great things about Communication Works in Berkeley
and the two speech therapists who run the social skills groups. I like that the
groups are run by speech therapists who give the kids tangible language skills to
use outside of group. From what I've heard they evaluate each child and fit them
into a group just right for their age and particular needs. Check out their
website:
www.cwtherapy.com. Their phone number is 530-3085.
Hope this helps! Good luck in your search
My son went to a great social skills group in Berkeley run by 2
speech therapists. They are called communication works and you
can contact them by phone 510-530-3085 or at this website
www.cwtherapy.com. The group was well structured and fun and the
therapists are wonderful. I'm pretty sure they have groups for
teens. I hope this helps.
Laura
It's not in Lamorinda, but there is a group in Berkeley that
teaches social skills for kids with communication and social
delays. They are called Communication Works, and they have a
pretty useful website, www.cwtherapy.com
Good luck! anon.
May 2006
I've checked the archives and am considering the group led by
Elizabeth Sautter and Hillary Kissack. We're thinking of doing
the 8 week summer program. Our son's seven, and struggling a bit
socially. We are total newbies - any info on this particular
group or about social groups, etc. would be welcome. Thanks!
anon
You might also be interested in the Superkids Summer Camp
program run by Andie Nguyen. She runs a facilitated, social
skills playgroup at Havens Elementary School in Piedmont during
the school year. You purchase the summer camp by the week
(it's a little pricey), but it's an all-day camp and I hear
it's a blast. She uses UC Berkeley and Piedmont High students
as counselors. They focus on taking kids on field trips to
different places during the summer. I don't have a number for
Andie, but you could get in touch with her through Havens: 594-
2680. Ask for Andie's cell phone number.
You might also want to check out Quest Camps run by Dr. Robert
Fields in CoCo County during the summer. Last year it was in
Alamo. These camps are more for ADD/ADHD type symptoms, as I
understand it.
Finally, you could also call Kathryn McCarthy or Maria
Antoniadis at 649-3399. They run social skills groups for
children during the school year. I don't know if they have
anything going on in the summer
Also working on social skills
My son attended a social skills group with Elizabeth Sautter
and some other therapists in her practice when he was 8 several
years ago. He did learn some useful skills and also had a
great time - they make learning fun and he really enjoyed the
group
anon
March 2006
We need advice on how to help a big 5 year old boy who is smart
but doesn't read social cues very well. He gets into other
people's space, which makes kids react negatively. He has
trouble with conversational give and take. He seems unaware of
his body. It doesn't help that he's big for his age -- people
expect more mature behavior and when he's in your space, he's
big enough that you can't miss it.
He also tends to ask to do something with other kids which sets
him up for rejection. For example, he's with a group of kids
and he wants to hold hands with one kid (''Bob, can I hold your
hand?'' this reminds Bob that he'd rather hold hands with
another kid.) It would be pretty sophisticated, but if he
said ''Let's all hold hands!'' then everyone would have gone
along. We have worked with him NOT to ask ''can I play?'' (we
say ''kids like to say no'') but simply watch what a group is
playing and find a way to fit in with their play.
He is very focussed on what he wants to ask, repeating his
question with energy/anxiety until it's answered. Fine with
parents, but annoying in the real world.
It's not a major problem, but we'd like to give him some tools
for figuring out how to engage with people, so his interactions
are more positive. For example, we recently told him that he
should be an arm's length away from the person he's talking to.
But that's easier than finding good clues on more complex
social interaction. On a positive note, he often doesn't notice
the negative/ambivalent reactions, but he does notice outright
rejection.
Any books or tricks that have worked for you? Thanks!
anon for his sake
I don't think your child is socially inept. In fact I think he
is very polite asking if he can play first and probably so
excited to do so gets even more in peoples spaces. Maybe you
could find a similar acting friend for now who it doesn't
bother, that way lessor friendships might not be so hurtful. I
would suggest role play. For example my child felt rejected the
other day when someone said his clothes were yucky. We thought
of empowering things for him to say such as ''Thats ok, only I
have to like my clothes.'' He practiced all week (He's 3) and it
really does work. Give him another choice than being hurt from
rejection and he will become empowered with great coping
mechanisms.
Best thing we ever did for our socially clueless boy was get
him into some social skills classes, which we found through the
West Coast Children's Center. There are some in the Oakland
area too. The guy who taught our son's group at West Coast is
not there anymore, but has started a summer camp that is
supposed to be absolutely wonderful, called Ha-Ha This-a-way.
http://www.hahathisaway.com/
Still clueless, but learned a lot
Have you had your son tested for Asperger's Syndrome? It may be that his difficulty in
''reading'' cues is not simply something that can be cured with some quick behavior
advice. I'd suggest broaching the subject with your pediatrician, at least to rule it out.
A recent New Yorker articles suggested that bay area children are much more likely to
have Asperger's than anywhere in the country. Accordingly, many bay area doctors
are uniquely qualified to help your son if this is his issue. Start at http://
www.aspergers.com. Good luck.
TA
Oct 2005
We are looking for a therapist that facilitates a group therapy
session for children. Our son is seven and is having difficulty
handling group situations at school. While he has met with
therapists before, he is very charming in one on one sessions
with adults, he needs guidance interacting with other kids. Our
concerns for him are: needing to be the center of attention;
short-tempered and impatient with other kids; and inappropriate
jokes and teasing that hurt others feelings. He has been
assessed by a therapist and learning specialist and has no
learning or behavioral diagnosis. He is also academically
advanced by a grade or two. Thanks for any recommendations the
community can offer.
Concerned Mom
Dr. Kathryn McCarthy in Berkeley (649-3399) helped my daughter
a great deal with similar issues, and my daughter has
maintained the gains she made in group 5 years ago.
anonymous
March 2005
Does anyone have experience with Elizabeth Sautter and Hillary
Kissack, speech and language pathologists? I am thinking of
enrolling my 5 1/2 y.o. son in their summer group to help him
with his social skills (eye contact, focused communication,
correct volume and proximity in conversation, picking up on
social cues). I would like to know what I can expect.
karyn
Our son is enrolled in one of their groups and I have nothing
but praise. The groups are structured, with the topics changing
each week but always related to social skills issues. All the
topics you mention are addressed. I think the structured
approach is definitely suitable for a 5-6 yr. old and also gives
him new skills practice in a supportive environment. Elizabeth
and Hillary encourage playdates within the group, to help form
peer relations.
Anon
Jan 2005
I am looking for a social skills support group or group therapy for my 12 year old daughter. I mainly am looking for a support group for teen concerns, particularly social ones.
Anon
My 12 year old step-son has challenges with social interaction,
and we have used a group therapy conducted by Dr. Kathryn
McCarthy. The sessions take place right near Alta Bates
hospital. It has been very helpful for him to be with other
kids with similar issues in a facilitated environment.
Good luck
My daughter was somewhat younger, but greatly enjoyed and
benefited from Dr. Kathryn McCarthy's social skills group in
Berkeley. Dr. McCarthy is at 649-3399.
as
May 2004
My daughter is currently enrolled in a social skills group
run by Toby Hendon, an insightful, nurturing and very
skilled therapist. The group currently consists of two high
school girls and two middle school girls. For next year,
Toby would like to break this group up into two: one for
middle school girls and one for high school girls. I
recommend both groups highly. Please call Toby at 869-4534 for more information.
December 2002
I would like to find a therapist/councilor who runs groups for
kids- mine is fourth grade- who need to learn and practice social
skills and emotional sensitivity. My child has trouble making and
keeping friends. He uses inappropriate language and insults kids
in an attempt to be funny. He doesn't pick up on the effect he has
on others. He has anger issues at home. I think he's lonely and
frustrated that most of the other kids in school don't seek his
company. His dad and I have tried to guide him to more appropriate
behavior to no avail.
Dr. Annette Blackman facilitates a social development group at
the Berkeley YMCA. The group meets two fridays a month, from
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The first half of that hour is spent sitting
around a table (with pizza) and practicing table conversation.
The second half is spent playing group games with YMCA staff.
This group is currently free and open to everyone. Many
families stay afterwards and participate in Family Night
activities. Most of the families involved have children between
the ages of 6 and 12, although some slightly older children have
come as well. Most of the children have been diagnosed with
Aspergers, high-functioning autism, or PDD. All children are
welcome, and children who have not been diagnosed with a
disorder often attend as well. If you would like more
information, please feel free to contact me. Eden O'Brien-
Brenner
I feel for you, and I've been there too, and still am there,
really. My son had/has similar issues; not so much with anger,
but with totally inappropriate interactions, mostly at school,
but also at home. He can tease (and others don't like it) but
reacts too strongly to being teased. He can't sit still and
calls out in class, doesn't pay much attention to other people's
personal space, or when they are talking, and so on, thinks
everyone hates him and that he is a troublemaker. He was NOT
diagnosed ADD, and the BEST advice we got was to put him into a
social skills group, which seems to have helped tremendously
over the last couple of years. They gave strong positive
feedback for good social interaction, which is sometimes hard to
do at home, and everyone got a chance to discuss their
feelings. He started out hating it but ended up loving going.
School is still tough, no play dates after school yet, but he's
made good friends at camp and one good friend one from the
social skills group, where the interactions are different. So I
applaud the direction you're taking!
We used West Coast Children's Center
(click for rest of review).
Try the Ann Martin Center located on Piedmont Ave. They do a
variety of children's groups, including ones that are focused on
social development. They can be reached at 510.655.7880.
Andrea
We have experience with only one of the following, Quest Camp, but think
that the others would do nicely for many children.
Quest Camp (San Ramon and Oakland sites), 925-743-1370 or
www.questcamps.com. Their next 10 week session begins 1/6. The sessions
are 2 hours long and, in Oakland, fall on Thursday afternoons. They also
have a spring session and a summer camp (all-day). The sessions are
play/sport based but offer the structure of behavior goals and tangible
rewards for accomplishment. Problems are sorted out at the time they occur
with the support and insights of trained psychologists.
David Edelson offers a facilitated group at the Jewish Family Services site
on Shattuck. His phone number is 704-7480, X267. The sessions are also
designed around play and two psychologists oversee the 1-1/2 hour
sessions. They are inside, so we opted for Quest Camp.
Maria Antoniadis (2999 Regent Street) and her associates offer group
support for children with social issues. She tends to get booked
quickly. It was she who told
us about Bob Field's Quest Camp.
The good news is that the camp environment has produced some remarkable
results in only the 10 weeks our son has been going. His experiences on the
playground are less problematic and he truly enjoys going each Thursday.
Hope this helps.
A mom
I just posted a announcement about social skills and esteem
classes for children 5-15 on the Announcements newsletter. My
housemate Linda Schneider is just amazing with kids. She is a
very talented piano teacher and a trained Montessori teacher.
She puts together groups of 8 kids at a time to meet in her home
in Albany for 4 Saturdays of learning social skills and problem-
solving. The 4 workshops are $120. and the response has been
great from the UC group! Her phone number is 510-527-6202 or you
can email her at LndSchneid AT aol.com.
Kathryn
Aug 2002
My very bright, nine year old son, is lagging behind other
children his age in regards to social skills. He is an only child,
extremely verbal and arguementative. He relates to adults well.
However, with kids his own age he tends to start off uneasy and
shy, sometimes swinging to the opposite extreme of being too loud,
and overbearing. He is very competitive, and is very hard on
himself, and sometimes others, when he is not the best at
something, especially sports. (He loves sports, but is an average
player.) He has a very hard time picking up basic social cues as
to what other kids are feeling and thinking. He has very little
awareness on how he comes off to other kids. He has begun having
trouble making and keeping friends. I beleive he feels lonely and
somewhat rejected by other kids. His father and I have had
discussions with him as to how he could be more sensitive to other
kids, and our feeling too, but the concepts don't seem to be
sinking in. Can anyone recommend a couselor, classes or something
to help him develop better social skills?
worried mom
My son is nine and has some similar issues. Here are some things
that have helped over the years:
1) setting up lots of playdates, preferably with the same kids so
that they learn to negotiate their relationship. We found we had
to do the initiation and hosting, for the most part, since some
monitoring was necessary.
2) joining non-competitive group activities. For us, boy scouts
has been lots of help. Religous Education in a non-stressful
situation has also been good for us. You might try caioperia, or
another sport that isn't competitive.
3) a social skills group. We found the one Jim Beattie ran to be
very helpful, and I know he is planning to do another one in the
fall. see http://www.hahathisaway.com/ under "Coaching".
Jewish Community Services also ran one.
Good Luck.
anonymous
Dear Worried Mom-
A book I found somewhat useful is ''teaching your child the
language of social success,'' by Marshall Duke and others.
There are two groups in the east bay I am aware of:
1. Maria Antoniadis - 649-3399. My son has attended these groups,
and I think they are useful.
2. Toby Hendon - 869-4534. These groups are listed in the
newsletter of the Family Resource Network of Alameda County. I
don't know anything else about them.
Good luck and feel free to contact me off list
-Zach
It sounds like your son may have a non-verbal learning disorder.
Nonverbal learning disorders (NLD) is a neurological syndrome
consisting of specific assets and deficits. The assets include
early speech and vocabulary development, remarkable rote memory
skills, attention to detail, early reading skills development and
excellent spelling skills, the verbal ability to express
themselves eloquently and strong auditory retention. Major
deficits and dysfunction are: lack of coordination, balance
problems, and difficulties with handwriting, poor
visual-spatial-organization, lack of ability to comprehend
nonverbal communication, difficulties adjusting to transitions
and novel situations, and deficits in social judgment and social
interactions.
There are several websites where you can get excellent info,
including Nldline.com, ldca.org, and nldontheweb.org
Brad
April 2001
Anger Management/Social Skills Group for Middle School Boys now
forming. Group on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:30pm. Jewish Family &
Children's Services, Berkeley. Contact: Kathy Langsam, MFT;
510/704-7475 ext. 229.
My 10-year-old son has been in Maria Antoniadis' group for a year (and if I
recall correctly, we were on the waiting list at least a year before that).
I think she does a great job, and in all the time we were waiting, every
recommendation I received was to wait for her, that she was the best. I
also have a friend who felt her son benefited from Kathryn's group.
Desmid (May 2000)
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