Contact FACT Now!FACT Social Skills Groups
"Joining the F.A.C.T. Social skills group was a high point for our whole family during our long, difficult journey to a diagnosis. Staying in the group has been a highlight of each week since then.
Both of my boys, one typical, one on the spectrum, have made friendships I know will last a lifetime and so have my husband and I. I see growth in both our boys in how they deal with other kids and each other.
My husband and I have gotten invaluable advice and support from the other parents in the group. My only wish is that we could go to social skills every day."
— L.S.
Where Kids Are… Just Kids
FACT Social Skills Groups are designed to organically develop social thinking, emotional intelligence, play and friendship. FACT creates naturalistic settings that will lead to typical encounters between children, allowing the staff to teach social referencing and emotional co-ordination in a real time setting. Each child’s interests are acknowledged so they can experience social interactions as pleasurable. And while firm limits are in place to insure a safe and organized environment, children are free to be spontaneous, and go at their own pace.
Creating a New Experience Everytime
Rote teaching of "rules" is avoided. Children are helped to learn to "read" a social situation and adjust their "pace" in concert with others. Activities vary depending on the makeup of the group and the development and style of communication of its members.
No Sibling "Waiting Rooms"… Ever
Siblings are included to allow them a chance to participate in a family based activity, rather than sitting in a waiting room while their brother or sister participates in therapies they perceive as fun. Siblings also have the opportunity to interact with other children with autism to gain a wider perspective as well as a chance to meet other siblings. Ultimately, FACT’s goal is for an observer not be able to distinguish between the "neuro-typical" siblings and the ASD-affected children in a play setting.
Groups Make a Family All They Can Be
Group time is spent facilitating support between parents to deal with the common issues the family is facing at each developmental stage. Parents are given specific feedback as to what their child has learned in the group and ways to generalize this to home and community