Social Skills Groups for Children & Adolescents
Connection through shared interests and meaningful participation.
Social connection can look different for every child. Some want help joining an activity, others want to build friendships, and some want more confidence expressing preferences or asking for space.
Supported group experiences can offer opportunities to practice communication and participation with peers. Contact Apex in Fairfax County to discuss your child's goals, whether a group may be appropriate, and current options. Group availability and fit are determined individually.
What Groups Can Help Participants Practice
Authentic Communication
Sharing an interest, asking a question, explaining an idea, or clearing up a misunderstanding. Communication goals should be useful to the participant and respectful of different communication styles.
Friendship & Shared Activities
Exploring common interests, inviting someone to participate, and contributing to an activity together. Friendship is more than performing a social rule correctly.
Self-Advocacy & Boundaries
Expressing a preference, saying no, requesting a break, and recognizing that other people also have choices and boundaries.
Flexible Participation
Working through different ideas, negotiating the next step, and asking for help when a group activity becomes difficult. The aim is meaningful participation, not making every child act alike.
What a Group Experience May Look Like
Depending on age, interests, and goals, practice might happen through a cooperative game, a creative project, or a conversation about a shared interest. Younger children might explore play together. Adolescents might plan an activity, discuss a disagreement, or practice explaining what support they need.
These are examples of possible activities, not a published Apex curriculum or schedule. Appropriate grouping and support should be discussed before enrollment.
Finding the Right Fit
A useful conversation includes the participant's interests, communication preferences, comfort with peers, and what they hope to gain. Some children may prefer or need a different format before joining a group. Participation should not be recommended simply because a child has a particular diagnosis.
Ask how goals are selected, what support is available, and how the child's feedback will be considered. Current group sizes, age groupings, staffing, and enrollment arrangements should be confirmed directly with Apex.
Therapy for Real Life
The purpose of practice is connection beyond the session: joining an interest-based activity, asking a peer a genuine question, or communicating a boundary. Families can share the situations that matter to their child so goals remain relevant.
Speech Therapy · Caregiver Support
Common Questions
Does a child need to be outgoing to participate?
No. Being quiet or preferring smaller amounts of social interaction is not itself a problem. The question is whether a group fits the individual's goals and support needs.
Are groups available for teenagers?
Apex serves children and adolescents ages 2–18. Contact us to ask about current groups and whether there is an appropriate option for your adolescent. This page does not promise a particular age band or opening.
Is this the same as respite care?
No. A social group and respite care have different purposes and arrangements. Ask the team what a particular offering includes before making plans.
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your child's interests and the kinds of peer experiences they would like to explore.
