By: Sharon Aron Baron
For many children with autism, making friends is difficult because they don’t possess the social and communication skills needed for success.
Beginning April 4, South Florida-based Florida Family Support, an ABA Therapy Service, in partnership with Omega Behavioral Consulting, Inc. is launching Social Skills Groups in both Tamarac and Boca Raton that will teach kids the important tools to help them improve their social interactions skills.
This will be the third year of the successful Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program, which focuses on meaningful and positive changes in behavior for kids with autism. Natalia Perez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of Florida Family Support, created the program after working with kids with autism and/or on the spectrum for more than 10 years.
“My years working with kids with autism taught me what activities and teachings worked for developing skill sets and improving social interactions,” said Perez. “This partnership truly combines the best of the best programs, lessons and partners from all over the country.”
The Social Skills Groups are specifically designed to meet the needs of both the diagnosed child as well as neuro-typical children who experience social difficulties. Three different age groups (3-6, 7-10,11-16) will be offered, and students will be assigned to one class based on their age and skill sets. Every session provides a new topic to learn and share.
During the Social Skills Groups, kids will learn fundamental skills and be engaged in a variety of different activities focused on teaching them critical skills. Activities include: introductions, team building, sportsmanship, and story-telling. Group lessons are all customized after UCLA’s highly acclaimed and popular PEERS program as well as Children’s Friendship Training. The program is clinically proven to significantly improve social skills and interactions among children with autism or related challenges, according to Perez.
The program kicks off Tuesday, April 4, 2017 and will continue for 12 consecutive weeks. Sessions are available in two locations:
Tamarac
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Omega Behavior Consulting
7310 West McNab Road, Suite #203
Tamarac, FL 33321
Boca Raton
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
19635 FL-7
Boca Raton, FL 33498
Most health Insurance is accepted. Limited spaces are available. To register, please call 305-305-6367 or email info@flfamilysupport.com.
