Social Skills

Social Skills Training Program

Winter/Spring 2010

Please note:  the services described below are primarily for children between 3 and 14 years of age.  Planning is currently under way for group services for older adolescents and adults.   

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

This year we have decided to expand the scope of our social skills training program 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 we offered in the past.  While there are no absolute age limitations, we anticipate that most children in the program will be between 3 and 14 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 as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The students will be closely supervised by a faculty member from the BCBA program, 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 need to work together to make sure children have regular opportunities to practice and improve newly acquired skills at home 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

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 two or three sessions to complete. 

• 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 pre-determined short term intervention prior to enrollment in a larger group.  Sessions will typically be 45 minutes to one hour.

• Social Interaction Group 

$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.  All groups will include opportunities to practice skills in the community, through pre-planned trips, play dates, or other social activities.   Groups will meet for one hour per week, either on a weekday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Application Process

Parents interested in enrolling their child in the Social Skills Training Program should fill out and submit the Behavior Services/Social Skills Program Application.  On the last page of the application, please indicate that your primary concern is helping your child develop his/her social interaction skills.

Mail the form to:

The Cody Center  Attn: Lynne Barnett

Rm 177 Putnam Hall – Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY 11794-8788

You may also fax the application to Lynne Barnett at (631) 632-3120.

Please contact Lynne via phone or email with any questions.

Phone: (631) 632-8983

Email: lynne.barnett@stonybrook.edu

Once we get your application, a member of our social skills training team will call you to set up an assessment appointment. 

Payment Policy

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