Children Classes



Parent-assisted intervention focusing on children who are having difficulty making or keeping friends offered in a 16-week class program for children in grades 3 through 5.

How does all this work?

The intervention includes separate parent and child sessions that meet at the same time for 90 minutes each week over a 16-week period.

The group focuses on skills such as:

  • Finding a common interest
  • Choosing appropriate friends
  • Starting, entering and exiting conversations
  • Staying on topic
  • Handling teasing, bullying, rumors/gossip, and cyber bullying
  • Handling arguments and disagreements with friends
  • Having appropriate get-togethers
  • Being a good sport when playing games/sports
  • Changing a bad reputation
  • Using appropriate humor and assessing humor feedback

Parents and children are required to do homework assignments each week so they can generalize what they learn in session to home, community, and school environments. This is done in order to gain assurance that parents and children are engaging with each other through effective communication. Creating learning patterns that will last is the goal of the homework given each week.

What Can I Expect?

Children will meet in a small group format and receive specific instruction dealing with various behavioral tendencies.

Concrete rules and steps of social etiquette are presented in lessons that include role-playing and modeling for both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Children rehearse the lesson taught and receive in-session coaching by multiple social coaches. Homework is then given at the end of each lesson that will include real life practice to better emphasize learning these important social skills.

Parent sessions are held at the same time as the children’s sessions. It is mandatory that at least one parent consistently attend the program every week. The parent group provides social coaching, assistance with the generalization of skills learned each week, and guidance on interpersonal problem solving.

By the middle of the intervention, parents will often report, “She used to walk around the playground alone at recess and lunch. I felt terrible. Now she has a group of girls she plays with and actually got invited to her first birthday party!” or “My son is 100% better. He no longer stays in his room playing video games alone. He’s engaged in life and actually has friends!”

Who Can Benefit?

Our program is helpful for children diagnosed with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Social Phobias
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • OCD

In addition to diagnosed disorders, our program has also been proven beneficial for shy, introverted or socially awkward children.

Call Us Today to Give Your Child the Gift of Social Skills

Call today for a free prescreening phone interview to establish your child’s appropriateness for this program. Children must have motivation to attend and adequate verbal skills to ensure the ability to follow the lessons presented. At least one parent must agree to attend classes each week and assist with the completion of homework.

Together, we will work with you as a team to accomplish your child’s ultimate goal – making friends!

See our child brochure here.

Application Pre-requisites:

What are the participation requirements?

  • Have friendship problems
  • Children in grades 3 through 5
  • Children agree to participate in the program voluntarily
  • Children must consistently attend the program
  • Parent must be willing to participate

Application Process:

  • Call our office at (714) 658-0797 to complete phone screen and arrange to receive an enrollment packet.
  • Complete and return enrollment packet.
  • Attend an intake appointment (parent and child) for 30 – 45 minute intake appointment to determine if our program is appropriate for you and your child.

Dates and Availability

Duration: 16 weeks

Planned Terms: Year Round


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Location

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