Social Skills

Accepting New Applications Now!

The Spring Session begins on Monday, February 25.

 Please see below to download application.

Please note:  the services described below are primarily for children between 6 and 18 years of age. 

The Cody Center recognizes the importance of helping all children with autism and related disorders to develop age-appropriate social interaction and play skills.  We are continuing to develop the services we offer in this critical area of development.  Below is a brief description of our program.

Children We Serve

Our social skills training program is designed to include learners at all levels of development. Through an expanded array of options, we will be able to promote social skills gains in children with a range of learning needs, rather than serving only those children who fit into the social skills group model. While there are no absolute age limitations, we anticipate that most children in the program will be between 6 and 18 years of age.

Measuring Success

We will also be putting a greater emphasis on measuring the success of our social skills training program. In order to do this we will be working closely with each family to identify specific skills that need improvement, and ways to measure improvement. Our ultimate goal with all children in the program will be to help them enjoy interacting with their peers, and feel confident and successful in social situations.   

Staff

This year our social skills training program will be staffed primarily with students from our graduate program for Board Certification in Behavior Analyis (BCBA). The students will be closely supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and will have ongoing consultation with other Cody Center staff members with specific expertise in social skills training. 

Parent Participation

We will be working closely with parents in all aspects of the social skills training program. The only way we can expect to achieve meaningful and lasting improvement is by developing goals that make sense in the life of each child and family. We will also help families develop strategies to ensure that children have regular opportunities to practice and improve newly acquired skills at home, in school, and in the community.

Assessment

An individual assessment will be conducted for each child applying to the social skills program. The assessment will include both a parent interview and direct interaction with the child. Information from the assessment will help the staff and family identify specific skills that need improvement, and select the strategies and service options that would best meet the child’s needs.

Services

• Assessment/Intake: No Charge

Each child entering the program will receive a comprehensive assessment of his/her social development. The assessment will help to establish specific goals for intervention, and to determine the best training option for reaching those goals. The assessment will involve both parent interview and direct interaction with the child, and will take one or two visits to complete. Important: Once we receive your completed application, we will phone to schedule an intake for either Monday, September 10 or Monday, September 17.

• Social Interaction Groups: $35.00 per Session

Children who can benefit from a group instruction format will be matched with peers of similar age and learning level. Group activities will be designed to address the individual goals of each child in the group, with an emphasis on building relationships, developing confidence in social interactions, and discovering the fun of being with friends. 

In addition, parents may attend a weekly workshop on parenting skills concurrently. The parent workshops are provided at no additional cost and begin and end at the same time as your child's group.

SPRING 2013 Session

 Groups will meet:

 Where: at the Cody Center, Putnam Hall

 For: 1 hour per week, for 12 consecutive weekly sessions

 When: Monday evenings

 Younger Group, ages 6-10 (two groups), Mondays, 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.

 Older Groups, ages 11-18 (three groups), Mondays, 6:15 to 7:00 p.m.

 First session, Monday, February 25, 2013

The New Spring Session begins on Monday, February 25, and ends on Monday, June 3. (There is no meeting on Monday, March 25). 

• Individual Training Sessions: $65.00 per Session 

Children who need intensive instruction in prerequisite skills for social interaction or group participation, or who have specific behavioral challenges that severely limit their ability to interact successfully with peers, may receive individual behavioral training as a preliminary step toward the development of social skills. Sessions are up to two hours per day, one, two or three days per week for a time-limited period. 

• Dyad or Peer Training: $35.00 per Session

Children not yet ready for inclusion in a group of four or more peers may benefit from practicing play routines or simple social interactions with one other child, either a typical peer or an appropriately matched child who is also enrolled in the program. This will be a predetermined, short-term intervention prior to enrollment in a larger group. Sessions will typically be 45 minutes to one hour.

Application Process

Parents interested in enrolling their child in the Social Skills Training Program should fill out and submit the Social Skills Application.  On the last page of the application, please indicate that your primary concern is helping your child develop his/her social interaction skills. Also, be sure to include all materials requested on the application (proof of immunization, psychological report, and current IEP). Failure to include these documents will delay your application.

Mail the form to:

The Cody Center  Attn: Social Skills

Rm 177 Putnam Hall – Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794-8788

You may also fax the application to:

Patty Bashe at (631) 632-3120.

Please contact Patty via phone or email with any questions.

Please DO NOT scan and email your application. It will not be accepted.

Phone: (631) 632-8868

Email: Patricia.RomanowskiBashe@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Once we receive your completed application, a member of our social skills training team will call you to set up an assessment appointment. If your application arrives after a new session begins, it may be a few weeks before we can schedule an intake. Your patience is appreciated.

Payment Policy

Once your child is enrolled in the Social Skills Training Program, payment is due at the beginning of each month for the services planned for that month.