Provider Type: Social Skills Program

Address: Child Study Center, 1 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10016 and Child Study Center - Long Island, 1991 Marcus Avenue, Lake Success, NY 11042

Specialties: Group therapy services for preschoolers, teens, and young adults who struggle with casual conversation, reading nonverbal cues, interacting with peer groups, and other social communication skills. Teens and young adults up to age 35 with social communication difficulties related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, or related challenges can benefit from our Social Skills Group or Summer Conversation Intensive Program, while preschoolers ages 5 and 6 can benefit from our PEERS® for Preschoolers Program. The PEERS® Social Skills Program is an evidence-based social skills intervention, and research shows positive long-term outcomes for participants.

Approaches: Participants and their parent or social coach meet each week for 90 minutes over a 15- to 17-week period. Groups are offered either in person or virtually, depending on the time of year. During group therapy, participants learn proper conversation skills, including how to start, enter, and exit conversations; how to assess and use humor; and how to communicate appropriately over email, text, or other electronic communication. We also discuss how to choose the right friends, organize successful get-togethers with your peers, and how to handle arguments and disagreements with friends. Bullying, teasing, rejection, gossip, and cyberbullying are also addressed. The young adult group also discusses dating etiquette and how to have safe, appropriate romantic relationships.

Each group therapy session includes instruction, modeling, coaching, and ongoing feedback. Teens and young adults learn skills through in-group rehearsal and homework, which helps build confidence and solidify new skills.

Separate, concurrent classes are held for parents and guardians, whose involvement is integral to their child’s success with the program. In these groups you learn the skills being taught to participants so that you can serve as a social coach in your child’s everyday life.

Fees: Call for fees.

Insurance: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare (Call your insurance to confirm coverage).

Sliding Scale Offered: No.

Phone: 646-929-7970

Website: nyulangone.org/child-study-center/PEERS

Licenses / Certifications: PhD