Northeast Ohio Autism / Asperger's

Social Groups & Social Skills Programs

This webpage is a resource. Milestones Organization does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services from any of the groups or companies listed below.

Activities for Children, Teens and Adults

ASPIES Support Group, Akron 330-745-5115
Joy Spencer Rreindeer@aol.com

6:30-8:30pm, 3rd Tuesday of each month Parent Support Group 7:00-9:00pm, 1st Thursday of each month Adult Support Group (18 years & older) Family members are welcome to attend. Both groups meet at the William Considine Professional Building in rooms 5 & 6 across from the main entrance of Akron Children's Hospital. www.asagreaterakron.com

A.C.T. Now, LTD. (Autism Consulting and Training) Bryan, OH 419-633-0068

Social Skills Support Group For Individual’s with High Functioning Autism/Asperger's Syndrome. For pre-teen thru early adult. Group Three: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm at Grace Community Church *Pre-registration and screening required* 10-week session for $150.00. They also have a Social Skills and Training Group for ages 7-11 years old in Pettisville

Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, 330-543-8257
Functional Independence Group (4-6 yo.) social (7-12 yo.) peer socialization, attention and self regulation.

Barrie Galvin & Associates, Ltd., "Social Skills, Motor Skills and More..", Warrensville Hts., 216-514-1600.

Groups for all ages and abilities. These interactive, activity- based programs combine the expertise of specialists in occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, physical ed and psycholgy. Please visit the website www.ot4children.com for more details.

Berk, Jay, PhD, Woodmere, 216-292-7170. *Autism Scholarship and Health Insurance Accepted

Social Skills groups that treat more than just social skills deficits.

"Some children/adolescents who have social skills issues simply need social skills instruction. Many clients need more assistance targeting the core issues as to why they lack social skills and applying these skills outside the group setting. Our groups teach social skills and for the clients who need more the groups can target the core reasons for lack of skills. Examples include anxiety, anger issues, lack of awareness of others needs, transition issues, teasing, frustration tolerance, working on teams, sensory issues and more."- Dr. Jay Berk

Please visit the website JayBerkPhD.com for more details.

Cub Scouting on the Spectrum, Lerner School for Autism or locally
Contact Matt Baker, matthew.baker@scouting.org or 216-458-8920
The Cub Scouts offers an excellent opportunity for children with High
Function Autism Spectrum Disorder to practice their social skills in a safe environment. All meetings and activities will be modified to meet the needs of a child with ASD.
Cost: $40 for registration, Boy's Life Magazine and insurance

Blue Ribbon Events, Solon Recreation Center, 440-248-5747

Kimberly English

The mission of the Solon Blue Ribbon Program is to provide high quality recreation and leisure activities for persons with disabilities, enabling each to enhance his or her personal potential by sharing in the emotional, social and physical benefits fostered by such community based activities.

Building Behaviors After School Program (InnerHealth Ministries Child Center), Fairview, 216-252-1399

Classes for kids with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and/or ADHD focused on social skills, stress and anger management, following directions, daily living skills, and more! Cost: $45 for each individual session or pay $1225 for the entire school year (a $350 discount)! Sliding scale and scholarship money available. Headed by Cara Marker Daily, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist and Executive Director.
Mondays, 4-5:30- Ages 5-8
Tuesdays, 4-5:30– Ages 9-12
Wednesdays, 4-5:30– Teen Night

Children's Developmental Center, Amherst, 440-984-2416

Martie Santamaria

Teen Night for Middle School to High School kids. Events are held at the center on Tuesday nights from 7:00- 8:00 pm.

Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism, Cleveland, 216-721-1292 **Autism Scholarship
Dr. Julie Knapp, knappj2@ccf.org or 216-448-6440

Cleveland Eastside Social Group for teens with Asperger's (Parent), Cleveland.

This is an informal group run by parents. To receive an e-mail with upcoming activities, please send your information to SheApple@aol.com.

Creating Connections Company, LLC, 440-667-6238

creatingconnectionscompany@yahoo.com

All groups are co-facilitated by a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board-Certified Music Therapist, and incorporate techniques from Neurologic Music Therapy and Psychology (including Floortime, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Structured Teaching). Children are grouped by age (3 years and up) and therapeutic need.

Easter Seals-Social Skills: "A Lesson in Life", Northern Ohio, 888-325-8532

Please call to find a Summer Program in your area.

Insurance welcome.

Hattie Larlham Social Club, Mantua, 330-274-2272.

Teen Connect for teens ages 14-19 yrs. old. It is designed to help teens on the Autism Spectrum develop social skills while interacting in a structured environment. Teen volunteers participate as peers.

Help Me Grow Playgroups, Canton, 330-455-1225 ext. 308

Free to Public

High 5 Club, Eastside Cleveland, 216-999-8338

Paul Blumberg
A social club for young adults and adults with learning differences ages 15-40. Meets monthly at Eastside Cleveland locations. Outings include movies, dances, etc. The High 5 Club has been In existence for 15 years.

Paul Blumberg and Craig Matis are offering a new service to complement the mission of the High 5 Club.  It is a social program for special needs teens through adults that focuses on the development of one-on-one connections between individuals, rather than on group activities.   

Help is provided to arrange social outings between individuals through their families, group home staff, or at the request of the individual him/herself. 

Contact Paul Blumberg at: peblumberg@aol.com or (216) 999-8338 Craig Matis at: matisc@netzero.net or (216) 381-1257  

Insight Wellness and Learning Center, Cleveland, 216-765-4470
Life Skills 101: Adult Social Skills Group
For those who struggle to relate to others in a personal way, Insight offers an opportunity for individuals to learn social skills within a friendly supportive environment. A series of small group sessions addresses the needs of individuals so they can make & sustain a conversation, express themselves clearly and develop problems solving and conflict resolution skills.
Led by Beth Goodman, Ph.D., NCSP, Licensed School Psychologist and
Marilyn Wise, LICDC, CMP, Licensed Addiction Counselor
Wednesday evenings: Starting April 22- from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center, Twinsburg, 330-963-8600

SUCCESS! CLUB (Social Skills, Understanding, Caring, Coping, Emotions, Self-Esteem & Success) Age 7-9 Saturdays 9:00-10:30; Age 10-11 Saturdays 10:45-12:15 p.m. * developed and directed by Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., pediatric psychologist; co-facilitated by Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical or School Psychology)

C.A.L.M. KIDS and C.A.L.M. Teens (Calming your Anxiety and Lifting your Mood)  Middle Childhood (ages 8-11/12); Tuesdays -4:30-5:30 p.m. and Early Adolescent (ages 12/13-15) 5:45-6:45 p.m. * developed and directed by Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., pediatric psychologist; co-facilitated by Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical or School Psychology)

TEEN Group (social skills program for teens with Asperger's Disorder or High Functioning Autism ages 14-18)Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:00 P.M * developed and directed by Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., Child/Pediatric Psychologist; co-facilitated by Rob Dempster, M.A., (Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical Psychology)

YOUNG ADULT GROUP (ages 18-25); Wednesday evenings 7:15 P.M.-8:30 P.M. For young adults diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder or High Functioning Autism. * developed and directed by Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., Child/Pediatric Psychologist; co-facilitated by Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical or School Psychology

Social Language Groups (social language groups for chilldren with mild to moderate autistic spectrum disorder; groups available for ages 3-10) Saturday Mornings. * developed and directed by Jocelyn Mills, M.A., CCC/SLP

Discovery Kids (social skills and behaviors group for children with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder or cognitive impairment; groups available for a variety of ages) Tuesday evenings ages 5-8  6:00-6:50 p.m.; ages 9-12 7:00-7:50 p.m. *developed and directed by Beth Lattime, M.A. (special education teacher, and intervention specialist for children with developmental disabilities)

FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY FUN (Friday evenings and Saturdays throughout the year) *directed by Beth Lattime, M.A. (special education teacher, and intervention specialist for children with developmental disabilities) For children with Asperger's Disorder/High Functioning Autism. They enjoy a variety of recreation activities such as: Fun N Stuff, Rock Wall Climbing, Movies, Laserquest, Bowling, and Swimming.

More detailed information about each of these programs is available on the website at www.kidslinkohio.com.

Download more information

Learning Disabilities Association of Northeast Ohio, 30100 Chagrin Blvd. Suite 302, Pepper Pike, 216-292-4549 Wendy Spitz  wspitz@ldaneo.org
Learning Disabilities Association of Northeast Ohio is offering an interactive and enjoyable program for children with a specific learning disability in grades 3-5 who needs guidance with his or her social skills.

Mayfield Village Recreation Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, 440-461-2210

Adapted Rec Programs Spring and Summer 2010 (.pdf link)

Music Therapy Enrichment Center is now taking registration for this spring's Music & Sound Social Skills program! This group is designed to facilitate socializing through MUSIC...creating a SOUND foundation of skills. Individuals will develop appropriate social skills through unique music experiences. Each group will include same-aged children, motivate interaction through music, and facilitate lasting friendships. The 10-week session will be comprised of groups of three to six children and focus on one "letter" each week. Cost is $200 for the 10-week session.Tuesdays, March 31-June 2nd. 3:30-4:15, ages 3-5. 4:30-5:15 ages 5-7. Location: MTEC Westlake Facility, 29160 Center Ridge Road, Suite B.
Please visit our website to download the registration information.

Peak Potential Therapy, Twinsburg, 330-405-8776 

Holly Reimann MA, CCC-SLP contact@peakpotentialtherapy.com

Spectrum Psychological Associates: Social Skills Training Groups, Mayfield Village, 440-446-9696, ext. 44

Hal E. Wildman, Ph.D. hwildman@spectrum-psych.com

Spectrum Psychological Associates, Inc.6700 Beta Drive, Suite 301 Mayfield Village, Ohio  44143

Learn to Talk and Play with Others; Show Respect For and Help Others. Groups for Children Ages 6 through 8 and 9 through 12 years. Coaching for Parents: Helping Your Child Use Their Skills. Games and activities aimed at teaching conversation skills, cooperative play skills, and friendship management skills including skills for starting a conversation, taking turns, sharing, dealing with winning/losing, compromising with others, offering help to others, personal space, and coping with social anxiety. Coordination with your Health Insurance Plan Provided

Think Computer Foundation, (Parent) Cleveland, 216-932-1989

Judi Greenspan jgreenspan@keenepromotions.com

Social outings and clubs.

Scheduled Events: more detailed information

Western Reserve Speech + Language Partners TM, Beachwood, 216-292-7370
Social Skills ProgramsPEERSS (The Program for Establishing and Enhancing Relationships through Social Skills TM) & The FIT Program (Friendship in Teams) WRSLP offers social skills therapy year-round to children and adolescents with high-functioning autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD (both types), anxiety disorders, and other conditions that affect social communication in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group settings.

• Program for Establishing and Enhancing Relationships through Social Skills (PEERSS) is a beginning social skills program designed to help students of all ages learn to talk to and make friends with peers.
• The Friendship in Teams (FIT) Program is a sports program that combines social skills therapy and skills-driven adaptive physical education (PE). Peer models attend FIT sessions.
  Offerings by Age: 4 to 7 years, 8 to 11 years, 12 to 18 years, Advanced FIT is designed for students who have acquired proficiency in the social skills taught in PEERSS therapy sessions and in Elementary FIT.