Social Skills Groups for Children and Teens

This page reflects our understanding of mental health topics as of 2026. If you are reading this at a later date, some details may no longer be current, so please verify anything important against up to date sources. If you notice anything that needs updating, we would welcome you letting us know.

Social skills groups are small groups, usually led by a trained professional, where children or teens practise skills for connecting with others, such as starting conversations, taking turns, joining in, handling disagreements, and understanding their own and others' feelings. Groups are typically organized by age and focus on practice in a supportive setting through games, role-play, discussion, and shared activities. They can help children and teens who feel anxious with peers, find friendships confusing, or want more confidence, including many autistic children, children with ADHD, and those with social anxiety. The best groups build on each child's strengths and respect different ways of communicating rather than teaching children to mask who they are.

How Social Skills Groups Work

Most groups meet weekly for a set number of sessions. A typical session might include a warm-up activity, a brief introduction to a skill or theme, practice through games or role-play, and time to reflect. Some groups include parent sessions or take-home tips so skills can be practised outside the group. Groups for younger children are often play-based, while teen groups may focus more on conversation, friendships, online communication, and managing stress.

Who They Can Help

• Children and teens with social anxiety, who benefit from gradual practice in a safe setting, as described on the page about social anxiety disorder.
• Autistic children and teens, who may want support navigating social expectations on their own terms.
• Children with ADHD, who may struggle with turn-taking, impulsivity, or reading the room.
• Children who feel isolated or are going through changes such as a move.

What a Neurodiversity-Affirming Group Looks Like

Older approaches often aimed to make autistic children appear "less autistic," for example by insisting on eye contact. Many autistic adults have described this as harmful. Neurodiversity-affirming groups:

• Respect different communication styles rather than forcing one way of interacting, as described on the page about the double empathy problem.
• Focus on connection and wellbeing, not compliance.
• Build self-understanding and self-advocacy, such as explaining needs to friends.
• Celebrate shared interests, which are often the easiest path to friendship.

The page about neurodiversity-affirming therapy explains this approach further.

How to Choose a Group

• Ask about the group's goals and approach.
• Check the facilitator's training, such as a psychologist, counsellor, or behaviour consultant.
• Consider group size and age range. Small groups with similar ages work best.
• Ask how progress is shared and whether parents are involved.
• Ask your child. Groups work better when children feel comfortable and interested.

In BC, Autism Funding can pay for social skills programs for eligible autistic children aged 6 to 18, as described on the page about what happens after your child is diagnosed with autism.

Practising Between Sessions

Skills learned in a group often take practice in everyday life to stick. Parents can help by creating low-pressure opportunities to practise, such as inviting one friend over, joining a club based on a shared interest, or role-playing situations at home.

Groups at Pacific Maple Psych Centre

We offer virtual group therapy for adolescents aged 13 to 18, facilitated by registered psychologists. Group topics include practising real-life social situations, social anxiety, self-esteem, and stress, in a small group of up to eight teens.

What It Is Not

A social skills group is not a cure for shyness or autism, and it is not about changing who a child is. It is a place to practise, feel understood, and gain confidence. Some children benefit more from individual therapy first, especially if anxiety is intense.

Getting Support at Pacific Maple Psych Centre

If your teen wants to feel more confident with peers, a small, supportive group can be a good place to practise.