Children Social Skills Groups in the Greater Dallas, Texas Area

When do children need social skills groups?

Answer: (1) Child is isolated from most other children and plays alone or only with siblings (2) Child seems unable to make friends or sustain friendships at day care, kindergarten, school, church or other activities. (3) Child does not seem to get or understand verbal cues or child is extremely literal in expressive understanding (4) Child does not get or understand non-verbal social cues, like facial or body expressions. (5) Child is frequently not invited to birthday parties and other social events or play dates with peers or when invited it is because parents have arranged for this to happen. (6) Other children are frequently overheard saying things like, he/she is weird or bizarre or strange or other such negative comments. (7) Parents, teachers or other adults observe that the child either must be in control or giving in when interacting with peers. (8) Parents, teachers or other adults observe that the child attempts to engage with others but after some time resorts to individual play. (9) Child seems unaware of body space in relationship to others. Frequently they are described as clumsy, stepping on or running into others in their proximity. (10) Child may have either high or low verbal skills. If you answered yes to at least three of these questions, you may want to consider having your child evaluated for attendance in a social skills group.

What do the children do at group?

Answer: The group is 60 minutes in length and meets weekly (except for holidays). The length of time which a child needs group is dependent upon that child meeting their individual goals (as determined by parents and child in cooperation with the counselor). Typically, group consists of goal talk, play and social conversation with a snack. The specific activities and length of time foreach activity are determined by age group and maturity level of the group members.

Children learn self awareness (how to keep body space and when to enter conversations without interrupting), personal responsibility, socially acceptable behavior (such as listening and acting interested in others), and how to make good choices. They learn, through the group experience, how to get what they want from friends, teachers, parents and family by following the rules and limits without arguing, demanding or having a meltdown or tantrum. Children are given information and practical experience in a safe group setting. They learn how to respond behaviorally to the same situations they face daily in their interactions with others at school, in the community and home.

• Age groups are from age four to seventeen. Primary group leaders are Dianna L. Hurtado, LCSW and Dr. Michael Bennett, PhD based in the Dallas, Texas Metroplex. A group consists of two to six children. If there are three children or less it will be conducted by one counselor. The groups are formed by age, sex (can be mixed or single sex ). This decision is made between the parent and counselor. Also used in decision making are the types of goal behaviors. The specific matches of individual children are discussed and agreed to between the counselor and parents.


• IT IS A PRIMARY BELIEF THAT CHILDREN CAN AND SHOULD LEARN FROM ALL CHILDREN. The reality of life in private and public schools and even in the community (for home schooled-children) is that our children must learn to negotiate relationships with all children. When we group children together who are alike, they cannot learn to deal with all children. They are robbed of learning from children who possess strengths they do not possess and the opportunity of having others learn from their strengths. True self esteem comes from both experiences.


• Groups are offered for the Dallas, Texas Metroplex after school weekdays from Monday through Thursday and on Saturday mornings, although all age groups cannot be offered at all times. Days and times are determined by current demand of a majority of parents. You must speak with counselor to determine specific offerings.

If you believe that your child may benefit from the experience of social skills group, please contact me to schedule a free 10-minute consultation.