Northeast Ohio Autism / Asperger's

Social Groups

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

• Groups are ongoing throughout the year and thus individuals may start and end at anytime.
• Different groups are available for males and females ages 7-19. Participants are grouped by ages and many different groups are available!
• All groups are facilitated by Jay H. Berk, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who teaches nationally about children and adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome and Autism. He is a recognized expert in the field and has over 15 years experience facilitating group therapy with this population.
• He also has adjunct services available at the office to help families and schools including Parent Support, Sibling Support, Occupational Therapy, Staff Training, Family Therapy and School Liaison Personelle.

Please visit the website JayBerkPhD.com for more details.

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.

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.

Peak Potential Therapy, Twinsburg, 330-405-8776 

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

Peak Potential Therapy will starting a new 6-week session of Social Skills Groups that are all play based, January 12 - February 16. The weekly sessions will be 1.5 hours long, and materials are included. The ratio will be 1:3 (adult to child) for Levels 1-3, and a 1:4 ratio for Level 4. There are 4 levels based on age or ability depending on the family's and therapist's recommendation. Intake Sessions to meet Kiersten or Holly will be completed the week of Jan 5th. Kiersten will be contacting families to answer questions and finalize schedules next week. Cost is $40/hour, for more pricing details visit: http://www.peakpotentialtherapy.com/policies.html
Level 1: ages 3-5, intro to social skills in play, Mon 9:30am-11:00am, w/ Holly Reimann.
Level 2: ages 5-8, facilitated play, games and more peer interaction, Mon 4:00-5:30pm, w/ Kiersten Johnson.
Level 3: ages 8-11, higher level social skills & interaction, Tues 4:00-5:30pm, w/ Kiersten Johnson.
Level 4: ages 12-18, fun constructive group activities, Tues 6:00-7:30pm, w/ Kiersten Johnson.
**If you are ready to get started, you can expediate the intake process by completing the "Intake Form" online now:
http://www.peakpotentialtherapy.com/forms.html

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

Free to Public

Insight Wellness and Learning Center, Cleveland, 216-765-4470

Michelle Martin, ED.S

Social Skills Group for those who struggle to relate to others in a personal way. Insight offers an opportunity for individuals of all ages 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 problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

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

Judi Greenspan jgreenspan@keenepromotions.com

Social outings and clubs. 

Scheduled Events: more detailed information

KidsLink Gaming Club, Saturday, 10:30- Noon, Twinsburg, 330-963-8600

The Gaming Club is designed for kids age 8 and up with Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. Come join us to play a variety of card and board games while making new friends with similar interests! They also have Friday Night Fun for kids 12 years old and up! There are many other dates and opportunities!

Friendship, Social Skills & Self-Esteem Training Program
A program designed to improve friendship behaviors, social skills, and self-esteem in your child diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder or High Functioning Autism. The program is developed and directed by Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., pediatric psychologist. (maximum of 6 children per group)
Middle Childhood Groups(ages 7-10) are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Adolescent Groups(ages 10-13/14) are from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PARENTS MUST ATTEND A PROGRAM ORIENTATION and GENERALIZATION OF SKILLS TRAINING

Teens 12 and up with Asperger Disorder or HFA, join us for…Friday Night Fun (and Saturdays too!)

2008-09 Friday Nights - $35 per event
October 24th Twilight Bowling (Stow Kent Lanes)
November 21st Fun and Stuff
December 5th Akron Zoo Holiday Festivities
February 20th Rock Climbing
March 6th Laserquest
April 24th Pottery Night
May 8th Swimming

2008-09 Saturday Afternoons – Variable cost
January 10th IMAX - Great Lakes Science Center
May 23rd Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Beth Lattime, a licensed intervention specialist with expertise in recreation and education for adolescents, will lead all events. Please register for events no later then Monday the week of the event. Parents provide transportation both to and from each event listed. Times for most Friday events will start at 7pm and will end around 9pm. Times for Saturday events will start at either 1pm or 2pm and will end around 3pm or 4pm.

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

Western Reserve Speech + Language Partners TM, Beachwood, 216-292-7370
Social Skills Programs PEERSS (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.