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Social Language Groups

Our popular social language groups meet year-round at the Artz Center for Developmental Health & Audiology. These groups meet weekly for an hour and are designed for children with high-functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, or language disorders. We have groups for children in preschool (4-5 years old), for those of kindergarten age, for children in grade school, and for those in middle school/junior high. Children are placed in groups with their ages and ability levels in mind.

The groups are led by speech-language pathologists Deanne Nelson and Katie Gray, who have special training and expertise in this field. As part of their training, they have participated in a number of specialized conferences, including the I LAUGH program (Michelle G. Winner), Navigating the Social World (Jeanette McAfee), and Relationship Development Intervention (Steven E. Gutstein & Rachelle K. Sheely). Activities in social language groups are based on many of the principles from these and other curricula. An innovative curriculum currently used is SUPERFLEX.

All parents want their children to make friends and form strong connections with members of their families. Some of the characteristics of autism, Asperger syndrome, and language disorders make it challenging for children to acquire these social skills. An effective environment for learning social skills is within a social language group led by an experienced clinician. Our clinicians support children as they learn specific behaviors that promote appropriate interactions with peers and allow the development of friendships. These groups are designed to provide opportunities for engagement with a child-centered approach.

Social language skills targeted and practiced during the weekly sessions include:

  • Attending to and understanding non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions and body posture
  • Asking and answering questions appropriately
  • Developing concepts relating to social communication rules
  • Increasing shared and cooperative play with peers

Language development focuses on additional skills critical to good communication, such as:

  • Maintaining the topic during conversation
  • Selecting topics appropriate to the people present
  • Sequencing events
  • Developing a wider range of interests and flexibility in topics discussed
  • Developing shared interests with peers and increased understanding of shared engagement

Group size is limited and dependent on the needs of the children enrolled. All groups are led by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Additional staff, including volunteers and practicum students, are utilized as needed.

For more information, please contact our Client Services Coordinator, Valerie Vanderford at 503-802-5281 or valeriev@artzcenter.org