Social Skills & Other Therapy Services

The University of Minnesota Autism and Neurodevelopment Clinic offers several evidence-based treatment groups throughout the year, including groups to address social skills, making and keeping friends, anxiety, and transitioning to adulthood. 

Our Group Participants

Many of our group participants have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, but all groups are open to individuals with other neurodevelopmental and social-emotional concerns (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities). We are happy to help your family find a group that will best meet your needs. 

Group meeting location

All groups are held at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Cost

Appointments are billed to insurance.  

Contact Us

If you need help with appointment scheduling, prescription refill, or patient records:
Call: 612-365-8400
Fax: 612-365-9050
Email: midbclinic@umphysicians.umn.edu

Make an Appointment

If you are interested in having your family participate in any of our groups, please Contact Us. Participants are enrolled on a rolling basis throughout the year.

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Transitioning Together

This group focuses on information and skills needed for teens and young adults and their families as they transition to adulthood.

Ages 14-21

Mondays OR Thursdays from 5:30-7:00pm

10 week group, 90 minutes each

  • This group will include teens and young adults with ASD or a related developmental disability and at least one caregiver.
  • The program is designed for young adults between the ages of 14-21. We will run two groups based on ages of young adults interested.
  • This group will focus on important issues regarding transitioning to adulthood, such as autism in adulthood, post-secondary education, employment, problem-solving, risks to independence, health, community involvement, family topics, and legal considerations.
  • Parents gain problem-solving skills and targeted resources. Young adults work on skills related to social interaction and daily living skills.
  • We will have guest speakers from community organizations to provide information regarding specific transition topics

Peers Social Skills Group

This group focuses on evidence-based strategies for making and keeping friends. For children and adolescents with broadly average cognitive and language skills.

Ages 11-18 

Groups available for ages 11-14, 15-18, and 18-25

Tuesdays OR Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00pm

14-16 week group. 90 minutes each

  • This is an evidence-based social skills group to help teens make and keep friends
  • The group involves participation of the adolescent and at least one caregiver
  • Session topics include: conversation skills, other methods for communicating with friends (telephone), choosing friends, hosting and attending get-togethers, appropriate use of humor, handling difficult peer situations (bullying, gossip, etc.), managing conflict, and dating etiquette (for older groups)
  • For more information about this program, please check out the PEERS website

Anxiety Group

This is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) based group that addresses reduction and management of stress and anxiety for children and adolescents. This group is for children and adolescents with broadly average cognitive and language skills. 
 
Ages 9-13 and 14-18
 
Mondays from 5:30-7:00 pm

14 week group, 90 minutes each

  • This group involves the child/adolescent and at least one caregiver. 
  • The parent group will focus on teaching parents how to recognize anxiety symptoms and assist their child in learning and using coping skills to reduce anxiety. Parents will learn about how anxiety may present somewhat differently in children with ASD and related difficulties.
  • The child group is designed to be fun and interactive. The child group will learn hands-on, developmentally appropriate strategies for combating anxiety and incorporate related social skills training. Children will learn to identify when they are feeling anxious, identify a team of individuals who can support them when feeling anxious, and learn to engage in coping and relaxation skills when feeling anxious. 
  • We will learn about anxiety, how it affects your child and family, and ways to cope with and reduce anxiety. Families will learn skills that they can practice at home and during group. Families will continuously assess their child's level of anxiety and develop individualized plans for facing fears/worries and reducing anxiety symptoms.  
  • Families will develop individualized intervention plans to reduce their child's anxiety.

Middle School Social Skills Group

This is a social skills group for children between 10-13 years of age. This group is for children with broadly average cognitive and language skills. 

This group runs periodically throughout the year based on interest.

Mondays from 4:30-5:30 pm

8-10 week groups, 50 mins each

This group focuses on skills such as conversation skills, nonverbal communication skills, friendship skills, social problem-solving, perspective taking, understanding and expressing emotions, etc.