Social Skills Groups for Kids and Teens: What Parents Should Expect

For many children and teens with developmental or behavioral support needs, navigating social situations can feel confusing or overwhelming. Parents often notice their child struggles to make friends, read body language, or participate in group activities. That’s where social skills groups come in.

At Bridgeway Integrated Healthcare Services, we offer social skills groups across Utah for children and teens who need a structured, supportive environment to develop communication, empathy, cooperation, and emotional regulation skills. If you’re a parent considering this type of support for your child, this guide will outline what to expect.

What Are Social Skills Groups?

Social skills groups are small, facilitated gatherings of children or adolescents who are working to strengthen their interactions with peers. These groups typically:

• Are led by a licensed therapist or behavior specialist
• Include 4–6 participants of similar ages or developmental stages
• Focus on specific social and emotional skills like sharing, turn-taking, reading nonverbal cues, managing frustration, or initiating conversation

Groups are often play-based for younger kids and discussion- or activity-based for older children and teens. Many families are referred to social skills groups after a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, anxiety, or another condition that affects social development, but a diagnosis is not required to participate.

Why Social Skills Groups Matter

Children learn through experience. But when they struggle with social interaction, they may have fewer opportunities to practice, succeed, and gain confidence. Social skills groups provide a space where they can:

• Learn by watching peers
• Practice new behaviors in a low-pressure setting
• Get feedback and coaching in real time
• Reflect on their experiences with guided support

This type of structured, peer-to-peer learning is especially valuable for children with developmental needs because it bridges the gap between individual therapy and real-world social environments.

Key Benefits for Kids and Teens

Here are some of the most common progress areas we see in our Utah-based groups:

Improved Communication

Children learn to initiate and maintain conversations, use appropriate tone, and know when to speak or listen.

Emotional Regulation

Kids practice managing big emotions like frustration, disappointment, or anxiety using practical strategies.

Perspective-Taking

Participants begin to recognize how others may think or feel, a core part of empathy.

Peer Relationships

Children build confidence in joining groups, resolving conflicts, and maintaining friendships.

Confidence and Independence

With practice and reinforcement, children begin to use these skills in school, at home, and in the community.

Who Might Benefit from Social Skills Groups?

Social skills groups are especially helpful for children and teens who:

• Have developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Experience social anxiety or selective mutism
• Struggle with emotional regulation or executive functioning (common in ADHD)
• Have difficulty interpreting social cues or responding appropriately
• Are navigating transitions (e.g., starting school, changing grades, or moving)

At Bridgeway, we work closely with families to assess fit and goals before a child joins a group. Our team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), licensed therapists, and mental health clinicians who help match children with the right group and support approach.