Pediatric Social Skills Groups
in San Diego, CA
We Help Children Connect with Friends and Family
Social connections are at the heart of childhood. From playdates and birthday parties to teamwork in the classroom, social skills help children navigate the world around them with confidence. But for some kids, making and keeping friends doesn’t come easily.
At SmallTalk, we create a supportive, fun space where children can build their social-emotional skills in a group setting guided by our expert therapists. Our social skills groups help kids practice the skills they learn in therapy while connecting with peers in a meaningful way.
What Are Social Skills Groups?
Social skills groups create a safe space to practice the many skills developed through therapy, such as meeting new people, asking and answering questions, keeping personal space, and managing social conflict. We use evidence-based strategies like role play, video modeling, and engaging group activities to help kids build their confidence in social settings.
At SmallTalk, we pair children with related goals and skill needs into small groups to practice valuable social skills, including working and playing together and having conversations. Group size can range from 2-5 peers, depending on their needs.
The first step to joining a social skills group at SmallTalk is to schedule a speech therapy evaluation with our experts. This helps us understand your child’s communication strengths and challenges to determine whether a social skills group is the right fit for their specific needs.
Who Can Benefit from Joining Social Skills Groups?
Social skills groups can benefit children who need extra support navigating friendships, communication, and social expectations. We work with children who:
• Have difficulty making or keeping friends
• Struggle with conversation skills or reading social cues
• Experience social anxiety or discomfort in group settings
• Have trouble taking turns, sharing, or playing cooperatively
• Need help understanding body language or facial expressions
• Find it challenging to manage their emotions or problem-solve with peers
• Have diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or language delays
If your child is experiencing a social challenge not listed here, reach out. We may still be able to help.
What Do Social Skills Groups Look Like?
Social skills groups are where fun with friends happens! In our social skills groups, your child will learn to “think socially” and be able to practice these skills with peers. Speech-Language Pathologists lead these groups in a variety of settings in order to teach friendship skills, empathy, problem solving and conversational skills. Your child will learn and grow in their social-emotional thinking all while in a safe environment to do so. There’s nothing we love more than watching friendships grow!
Each session is guided by age-appropriate themes and playful, structured activities designed to help children succeed in real-life social situations. We use games, storytelling, movement, and interactive conversations to encourage learning in a way that feels natural and fun. Children also learn through peer modeling and gentle feedback from the therapist.
No matter what skills we’re working on, our goal is to give your child the tools to connect with confidence.
What Can Your Child Learn in Social Skills Groups?
Social skills groups help children strengthen the basic skills they need to build meaningful relationships. Depending on your child’s specific needs, they may work on:
• Starting and maintaining conversations
• Taking turns and sharing
• Understanding facial expressions and body language
• Managing their emotions and behaviors
• Showing empathy and understanding others’ perspectives
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Listening and responding appropriately
• Following group rules and routines
• Building confidence in social settings
Why Choose SmallTalk?
We know that as parents and caregivers, you want your child to be able to build lasting friendships. So do we! At SmallTalk, we help children throughout San Diego achieve their greatest potential.
Our speech-language pathologists are highly trained, compassionate, and experienced in supporting a wide range of social communication needs. Just as important, they’re playful and know how to make every child feel seen, included, and encouraged.
We make our social skills groups fun, supportive, and goal-driven. From your very first phone call to every session your child attends, we’ll keep you informed, supported, and involved. We work closely with parents and give you practical tools you can use at home to help your child turn every small win into a lifelong skill.
How We Partner with Families
At SmallTalk, we know that involving family members in therapy is a vital part of a child’s success—and social skills groups are no exception. We’re committed to providing guidance, education, and support to parents and caregivers every step of the way.
We encourage families to ask questions, observe when possible, and practice social strategies outside of therapy. The more chances a child has to use their social skills (like taking turns or having a conversation), the faster you’ll see their confidence grow. By participating in your child’s treatment, you’ll get to watch them make progress and know that you helped make it happen!
We also empower families by offering practical tips and weekly goals tailored to your child’s needs. Every family is different, and we’ll work with you to ensure you feel confident supporting your child’s growth in everyday life.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If your child is having a hard time connecting with their peers, now is the perfect time to reach out. The earlier we begin, the sooner your child can start building their confidence in social situations for a lifetime of success.
Call us today at (619) 647-6157 or fill out the contact form below to schedule a speech and language evaluation to determine if your child could benefit from joining a social skills group.
Let’s help your child reach their full potential, one friendship at a time!