Group Social Skills Training-Adolescents (Ages 13-17)
NCMA’s Rochester, NH location offers a Social Skills Group for adolescents based on the evidence-based PEERS (The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) model. This group is a good fit for those with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder, or other disorders that impact social functioning, but teens do not need a diagnosis to participate. We usually run several groups throughout the year. This group is best suited for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.
Dr. Bomil and Jamie Evans, MA are co-leaders for this 16-week social skills group, which meets on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30-6:00 PM. Prior to admission to the group, a brief informational phone triage is scheduled with one of our group leaders to determine whether this group is a good fit. If so, a 60-minute clinical interview is conducted between one of the group leaders, the teen, and at least one parent. This interview is designed to help build rapport with the co-leaders, discuss current social challenges, set goals, and review group information (group schedule, initial questionnaires). This is also a time for you and your child to decide if this group is something you would like to pursue. If this program is determined to be a good fit, your child will be enrolled in the 16-week program.
There are 3-4 parent-only sessions built into the calendar with the co-leaders to discuss group progress, learn more about factors that contribute to social challenges, and review any questions that arise about how to support your teen outside of group.
Group Curriculum
Below is a sample of what a group session may look like. Please note that the group schedule may change slightly based on the individual needs of the group, and that topics may be reorganized.
Week 1: Introduction and Conversation Skills I: Trading Information
Week 2: Conversational Skills II: Two-Way Conversations
Week 3: Electronic Conversations
Week 4: Parent-only session
Week 5: Choosing Appropriate Friends
Week 6: Appropriate Use of Sarcasm and Humor
Week 7: Peer Entry 1: Entering a Conversation
Week 8: Peer Entry 2: Exiting a Conversation
Week 9: Parent-only session
Week 10: Get-Togethers
Week 11: Teasing and Bullying
Week 12: Navigating Conflict
Week 13: Reading Body Language and Nonverbal Cues
Week 14: Parent-only session
Week 15: Sensory Processing Differences, Burnout, and Self-Care
Week 16: Graduation (Parent & Teen)
How to enroll
If you are interested in enrolling your child, please call (207) 594-2952 or email us securely to discuss billing and set up your initial phone triage.