For High Schoolers
What we do for High Schoolers
Students in high school need to hone basic social thinking skills. They need to master observing others and thinking about the actions of others and what those actions really mean. Teen Social Thinking means being able to observe, listen, take turns, respect personal space, maintain a friendly attitude and learn to repair mistakes! It’s an important life skill to work successfully in groups and maintain emotional regulation and sportsmanship in all situations. High Schoolers need the skills to understand how their actions affect how they are perceived by their peers, teachers, and parents. They may need help figuring out how to make friends, join a group and how to have comfortable conversations with others. Focusing on goal planning, too, is an important step towards independence!
Who is this for?
We work with High Schoolers who struggle to initiate conversations, work with peers and get along with family members, teachers and bosses. We help teens understand the perspective of others and read social situations effectively. They may need help with social problem solving, flexibility and knowing how to behave appropriately in a variety of situations. They may have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, High Functioning Autism, NVLD, ADD/ADHD, Social Anxiety or have no diagnosis, but have difficulty with social interactions.
The Process for High Schoolers
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First, we will schedule an initial social skills assessment with parents and their teen. We will then make decisions about the best way to help the high schooler gain social skills: Working individually with a student is a great way to work intensively on specific skills that are causing difficulties. Working in a peer group on social skills puts new skills into practice. Enrolling in both group and individual sessions can really home in on the weaknesses observed during group sessions and concentrate on improving those areas of weakness.
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Initial Social Skills Assessment:
This assessment will cover social skills basics, regulation, interactive skill levels, perspective taking, reciprocity, strengths and weaknesses, motivation, appropriateness for group learning or individual learning.
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Focus of Individual and/or Group Sessions:
Students in high school need to hone basic social thinking skills. They need to master observing others and thinking about the actions of others and what those actions really mean. Teen Social Thinking means being able to observe, listen, take turns, respect personal space, maintain a friendly attitude and learn to repair mistakes! It’s an important life skill to work successfully in groups and maintain emotional regulation and sportsmanship in all situations. High Schoolers need the skills to understand how their actions affect how they are perceived by their peers, teachers, and parents. They may need help figuring out how to make friends, join a group and how to have comfortable conversations with others. Focusing on goal planning, too, is an important step towards independence!
Parent Role:
Parents will be asked to fill out several forms and checklists to further highlight strengths and specific skills and behaviors causing concern at home and at school. Together, we will determine priorities and develop next steps to improving social thinking and skills! It is important for parents to understand the complexities of social thinking in order to support their teen and start setting realistic goals for helping with independence and the transition period following high school. Parent meetings are offered as well.
