Social Skills Groups for Kids – Total Life Counseling
Because Every Child Deserves to Feel Included
If your child is struggling to make friends, avoids social situations, or feels left out at school, you’re not alone, and neither are they. Many kids with ADHD, high-functioning autism, or social anxiety find it hard to connect, and as a parent, it can be heartbreaking to watch.
At Total Life Counseling Center (TLC), we understand how much courage it takes to reach out for help. For over 30 years, we’ve walked alongside families just like yours, helping children, teens, and young adults build friendships, grow in confidence, and discover that they really do belong.
Our social skills groups in Orlando provide a safe, encouraging space where students can practice real-life skills, experience genuine peer connection, and learn how to navigate friendships with confidence. With gentle guidance from licensed therapists, they don’t just “role-play”, they take small but meaningful steps that lead to big changes in self-esteem and everyday life.
Jim West is an Author, Communicator, School Consultant, Nationally Certified, Licensed Counselor and specializes in counseling for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD).
Your Child’s Journey From Social Struggles to Social Success
At Total Life Counseling Center, our Orlando social skills groups are designed for children, teens, and young adults who want to feel more confident, build friendships, and strengthen communication. With over 30 years of experience, we’ve seen students go from feeling isolated to being invited to hangouts, playdates, and peer outings.
Social Skills Program Overview
Who
Who Thrives in Our Social Skills Groups for Kids with ADHD, Autism, or Anxiety?
If your child finds it hard to make friends, join in conversations, or feel included, they’re not alone. Our social skills groups for kids are designed to help children improve your child’s social skills and feel more confident, connected, and understood, no matter where they are starting from.
We welcome social skills for kids programs to support:
- ADHD or ADD – Often 25% behind socially and emotionally compared to peers.
- High-Functioning Autism (formerly Asperger’s) – Struggling to connect or read social cues.
- Social Anxiety or Phobias – Avoid initiating contact, wait for others to reach out.
- Bullying Experiences – Overreacting to teasing or withdrawing to avoid it.
- Low Self-Esteem – Isolating from peers due to lack of confidence.
- Superficial Friendships – Believe they have friends but rarely interact outside school.
- Peer Group Challenges – Prefer playing with older/younger kids instead of same-age peers.
- Depression or Anxiety – Difficulty engaging in conversations with peers.
- Lack of Social Invitations – No calls for hangouts, playdates, or sleepovers.
- Exclusion from Social Events – Not invited to birthday parties or peer gatherings.
- General Social Delays – Trouble starting conversations, sustaining them, or showing interest in others’ activities.
We also offer social skills training for kids in a welcoming, therapist-led environment where every activity is designed to be engaging, positive, and confidence-building. For example, our sessions may include social skills games for kids with autism to make learning fun while building real-world interaction skills.
Whether you’ve been searching for social skill groups for kids near me, a social skills group for kids with ASD, or inclusive social skills groups for children, you’ve found the right place. Check out our full 15-point checklist to spot social concerns early.
What
What a Social Skills Session Looks Like: Fun, Supportive, and Confidence-Building
Our social skills groups for kids aren’t just lessons; they’re fun, confidence-building experiences your child will actually look forward to.
Here’s what a typical session looks like:
- A Warm Start – Every week starts off with movie popcorn, helping students feel welcomed and relaxed as they settle into the group.
- Building Positive Interactions – In the first 30 minutes, students earn points for encouraging peers, remembering names, and practicing kind conversation.
- Guided Conversations – Therapists gently redirect off-topic talk and prompt quieter students to join in when they share common interests.
Example: “I like soccer too!” or “I enjoy writing as well.” - Making New Friends – Since groups are open to new members, students naturally practice introducing themselves, exchanging names, and spotting shared connections.
- Starting and Continuing Conversations – Children and teens learn to begin conversations and keep them going in a natural, reciprocal way.
Example: “How was your weekend, Billy?” → “Great, Steven! How was yours?” - Confidence with Teasing – Students practice rolling with teasing to show resilience and fly under the bully’s radar.
Example: “You’re an idiot!” → “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day!” - Play and Social Practice – Each session includes 15 minutes of games or outdoor play. For older teens, conversations often become the activity of choice, reinforcing real-world social comfort.
- Parent Involvement – In the last 15 minutes, parents join in. Students share what they learned and earn points toward small rewards. This ensures families see progress firsthand and keeps skills reinforced at home.
- Friendship Beyond the Group – Families are encouraged to exchange phone numbers to set up playdates or outings, helping kids practice social skills outside therapy and build lasting confidence.
- Monthly Laser Tag Event – Once a month, groups meet for age-based laser tag sessions. These outings simulate real playdates and teach teamwork, communication, and leadership.
Example: “You cover the right, I’ll take the left.” “Guys, I need backup, they’re coming through!”
Testimonial:
“It felt so good to compete in a team and be live in person, not just on video games with people I’ve never met. To know someone had my back, and I had theirs, felt amazing!”
– Mike, 18 years old
Where
Where Orlando Families Turn for Trusted Social Skills Groups
TLC offers several child and adolescent social skills groups in the Orlando area, covering leadership skills, social skills, anger management, dealing with provocation, support, and coping skills. Additional, groups are offered as well and are listed below.
When
When Your Child Can Benefit from Weekly Social Skills Groups by Age
- Elementary School Students (Grades 1st – 4th): Thursdays from 5 pm – 6 pm at just $55 per hour
- Middle School Students (Grades 5th – 7th): Thursdays from 5 pm – 6 pm at just $55 per hour
- High School Students (Grades 8th and up): Mondays from 5 pm – 6 pm at just $55 per hour
- Young Adults (18 – 29 years old): Wednesdays from 2 pm – 3 pm at just $60 per hour
Why
Why Parents Love Our Social Skills Groups?
- Meeting others struggling with the same concerns provides reassurance that we are not the only ones in our situation.
- Group members often help others and show true empathy for their situation.
- Make new friends who understand and provide support and the parents plan other activities with the group members on their own to build more social support for the kids and parents.
“It felt so good to compete in a team and be live in person and not on video games with people I have never met! To know someone had my back and I had there’s felt so good!”
Mike – 18 years old
What to Look For – Signs Your Child May Need Social Skills Support
If you find yourself saying “yes” to even a couple of the signs below, it may be a clue that your child could benefit from extra support with social skills. And that’s okay, many kids need a little guidance to feel more confident with peers. The good news is that with the right training, children can learn how to handle different social situations, feel proud of themselves, and build friendships that last, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or anywhere life takes them.
What to Look For – Signs Your Child May Need Social Skills Support
If you find yourself saying “yes” to even a couple of the signs below, it may be a clue that your child could benefit from extra support with social skills. And that’s okay, many kids need a little guidance to feel more confident with peers. The good news is that with the right training, children can learn how to handle different social situations, feel proud of themselves, and build friendships that last, whether in the classroom, on the playground, or anywhere life takes them.
Signs to Look For in Your Child’s Social Interactions
- Doesn’t recognize non-verbal cues – Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD)
- Gets into the peer’s personal space
- Annoying to get attention because they do not know how to get it another way
- Low self-confidence
- Poor eye contact
- Only interested in themselves rather than taking an interest in their peers
- Talks too much
- Lacks assertion
- Impulsive or blurts out responses
- Tries too hard to make friends laugh – thinks humor will make them friends
Give Your Child the Social Edge They Need to ShineCall Now at (407) 248-0030 to speak with a specialist who understands your child’s needs and can answer all your questions. |
|---|
Adventure-Based Social Skills Camps for Kids and Teens
Our Student Leadership Social Skills Camps offer kids and teens a fun way to build leadership, communication, and life skills while making real connections with their peers. Whether it’s a one-day Saturday camp or a Summer Camp program, every activity is designed to boost social competence, strengthen emotional skills, and improve overall quality of life.
Held in the Orlando area, these day camps combine the proven principles of our social skills groups for kids with autism, ADHD, or social anxiety with experiential learning on a Camp Wewa ropes course, complete with a climbing wall and zip line. Students practice social stories, role-play different situations, and work on emotional regulation while tackling exciting challenges. For more information, videos and pictures click here.
Our overnight social skills activity programs go beyond the basics, offering immersive adventures for kids who may struggle with assertiveness, self-confidence, or navigating social challenges. Through applied behavior analysis techniques, team-building activities, and even group games like emotion charades or board games, campers learn how to connect in different settings and with different people.
Leadership Article
Have you ever seen a Leader without Followers?
New Leadership Social Skills Groups, Camps & Services in Orlando & Winter Park.
Have you ever seen a Leader without Followers?
Leadership Social Skills Groups, Camps & Services in Orlando.
“I was first!” “You are doing it wrong!” “I want to go next!” “Can I be first!” These are a few statements from students that most likely exhibit leadership skills. They are often told to go to the end of the line or given a consequence for telling someone what to do, but maybe they need someone to tell them “what to do.” Silly to think of someone who calls themselves a leader, but has yet to have any followers. However, there are future leaders around us who need to learn how to find followers to influence, but they just need some direction. We might call them “Bossy,” but they are leaders who need some tweaking. Some might say they are “Caretakers”, but really, they want to help others, but are not sure what the right way is. We might have “Gossipers,” or they are just future Communicators that need to learn how to communicate more positively.
Consider how a student views leadership. They see leaders (parents, teachers, principal, police) as anyone who “tells them what to do (bosses them).” So when they start to assert their leadership skills, they start telling their friends what to do and tell them how to do things, and therefore they are called “Bossy.” Big surprise! So instead of calling these kids “Bossy,” maybe we could give them suggestions on how to lead, affirm, compliment, build others up, brag on others rather than themselves, take an interest in someone’s life or passions, offer help to someone, share an idea, etc.
According to Dr. Russell Barkley, MD, students with ADHD or ADD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder), as well as students with aspergers are often 25-30% behind socially and emotionally. Students like these may not have ADHD and need help with boundaries, assertion, impulse control, coping skills, starting conversations, greeting, etc., to help close the gap.
The premise of our Leadership Groups is to teach students leadership. Once they know how to lead and do some of the above-listed items, they will, in turn, make their peers feel good to be around them and gain their influence. Once they have influence, they have “friends” and can call themselves a leader. Students are taught how to roll with teasing with comical statements that do not provoke their peers.
What Makes TLC’s Social Skills Groups Different and Effective?
- Point System for Motivation – We keep students engaged and motivated with a rewarding point system that reinforces positive communication and appropriate responses.
- Interactive Games – From tag to team challenges, we observe how kids handle competition, fairness, losing, and standing out, providing valuable insights into real-world peer interactions.
- Parent Involvement – Parents join the final 15 minutes of each session, giving students the chance to share what they’ve learned and earn extra points, no more “I don’t know” answers!
- Experiential Learning – Rope course–style activities build teamwork, communication, and stronger peer connections.
- Monthly Laser Tag Outings – Simulate real social outings while practicing teamwork and strategy in a fun, active setting.
- Trust-Building Skills – Students learn that every action builds or breaks trust, and are encouraged to rebuild it through kind gestures and peer recognition actively.
Total Life Tube
Social Skills Videos
Is your Child Struggling with Social Skills?
It’s Time to Stress Less!
Get Started Now with a Home Social Skills Program with flyers and games Jim West uses in his social skills groups and camps.
Testimonials
A Few Kind Words From Satisfied Clients
“I just wanted to shoot you an email to thank you for your help with our daughter. I can’t tell you how perfect these Monday evening sessions are. They address the EXACT problems she is currently having at school. She loves coming to see you and the boys in her group. I am sorry for all the interrupting she does. I am grateful for how kindly and respectfully you handle it–it teaches me how to do the same. I have been spreading the word about the TLC center. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Susanna Chyu was very intrigued.”
Anonymous
Parent
“We were so thankful to Total Life Counseling. Over the past five years, we had seen five other counselors/psychologists with our son, but in the last 1 1/2 years our son gained skills to cope. The ADHD/Social Skills group helped our son realize that he was not alone. The parenting skills group helped us know how to anticipate problems and equipped us to handle them. Thank you Jim and Total Life Counseling – you are an answer to prayer.”
Tim & Janet
Parents
“Jim really speaks to the children where they are. You might expect a child to feel negatively singled out when they attend special group sessions. However, in this case, the singling out is positive. My child looks forward to attending the group and is seriously disappointed when a session has to be missed.”
Anonymous
Parent
“Jim and the wonderful team at Total Life Counseling Centre have changed my son’s life. He started the high school social skills classes this year, and within weeks, he was making new friends at school left and right. His confidence grew and grew, his independence soared, and he’s learned so many valuable social and conversation skills. Jim’s laid-back, natural style is very effective in helping kids with social skills deficits in a way that is fun and inclusive. Each class has a general theme, but generally, it is the only social skill class I have ever been able to find that works with kids in a natural, “as it happens” kind of way. Every other social skills class I have researched was always a set number of sessions with a specific outline. This class is ongoing, pay as you go, come when you can and we love it. The added bonus is that my son is also making friends with all the kids in social skill class. We have gotten together for group outings and now us parents are becoming friends too! We have met some really wonderful people through this group, and it has been so fun and refreshing to get together and discuss with other parents what you’ve been through, what you’ve tried, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and generally just be able to finally realize that we are not alone. All the things we thought we were the only ones that were experiencing? All these different trials and turbulations of having a kid on the spectrum? Well, finds out we’re not alone! In fact, at one event, I nearly spit soda out my nose, I was laughing so hard when we realized that we’ve all been through the same crazy things. My son recently started his first job, and we made sure to let Jim and his team know that we understand that they have played a big role in making this happen for him. I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me that my son would be working nearly full-time hours this summer in a job he loves, making friends at work, school, and social skills class, having the confidence and independence to do all these things – on his own. It is truly remarkable, and we owe a lot of it to Jim and the team at Total Life Counseling Center.”
Jennifer H.
Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to address social skills for kids with autism?
For children with autism, improving essential social skills often involves structured practice, modeling, and role-playing in safe environments. Social skills groups for kids provide guided activities that teach communication, emotional regulation, and interaction strategies tailored to their needs.
2. What are social skills groups for kids, and how do they work?
Social skills groups for kids are small, therapist-led sessions where children practice communication, cooperation, and problem-solving in real-life scenarios, especially within a group setting. They use games, role-play, and interactive exercises to build confidence and foster positive peer interactions.
3. What specific social skills do children typically learn in social skills groups?
Children in social skills groups for kids often learn skills like making eye contact, taking turns, reading body language, starting conversations, and managing emotions, core abilities that improve social interactions and emotional development in friendships.
4. How are progress and outcomes measured for kids participating in social skills groups?
Progress in social skills groups for kids is tracked through observation, feedback from parents and teachers, and measurable improvements in specific skills like conversation, cooperation, and conflict resolution over time.