This list is for informational purposes only. Programs are especially for special needs kids or are positive towards including special needs kids. Inclusion on this list should not be interpreted as endorsement by CAC.
Bay Area Friendship Circle,
Bay Area Friendship Circle embraces children with special needs, of all levels, involving them in a full range of social, Judaic and educational experiences. Some of their programs: Social Skills Club, Teen Hangout, Friends At Home a buddy program, Sunday Circle. The Friends at Home buddy program requires on or both parents to be Jewish, all other programs are open to everyone.
Friends Play, San Carlos, [email protected]
A theater based social skills class for children ages 6 – 9 years (1st-3rd grade): Friends Play Group. And a class designed for middle school students using drama, theater games and video technology to reinforce social skills concepts: Team Friend.
Leanna Meier Walden Walden West Outdoor School, Mountain View, [email protected],
This is a group where students with special needs (ages 15-20) can come together every other week to a core group of friends and feel like they are home. Run by a Walden West Outdoor School Group Leader. The group is also open to younger kids, middle school or elementary. Program 2014-2015.
Morissey-Compton, Redwood City, [email protected]
This is a group for children with Learning Disabilities, who have difficulty navigating the social dynamics involved in peer relationships.
Amicus, Los Altos, [email protected]
A social skills program which helps children master the art of making and sustaining friendships. First to 8th grade.
C.L.I.M.B. Cosultation Services
CLIMB in Mountainview focuses on providing high-quality Social Skills training and in-home family behavioral support/coaching for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Delays, Emotional Disturbances, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and a variety of other behavioral challenges. They run after school social groups.
Parent Place, Palo Alto, 650-688-3046
Social Skills groups for children who are experiencing challenging social situations on play dates, in school, or on the playground, social skills groups can be transformative. Experienced group leaders provide a small and safe setting in which children feel supported in learning to interact successfully with their peers. Interactive instruction includes play, games, art, and role playing. Ages 4-9.
Social Strides, Redwood City,[email protected],
Social skills, pragmatic language and perspective-taking are primary challenges for persons with Asperger’s Syndrome, AdHd, NLD and High Functioning Autism. Social thinking and related social skills groups for grades K-1, 1-3, 3-4, 4-6, middle school and high school.
Abilities United, Palo Alto, [email protected]
The Social Skills Development Group uses non-competitive games and cooperative activities to develop social, communication, problem solving, negotiation, emotional regulation, identification, and play skills. Groups are beneficial for all developmental levels.
Children do not need a diagnosis to attend. Ages: 3-9.
Social Thinking, San Jose, [email protected]
The Social Thinking Clinics, founded by Michelle Garcia Winner, are dedicated to developing and practicing innovative treatment approaches for assisting individuals with social learning disabilities, including students and adults with high-functioning autism, Asperger Syndrome, nonverbal learning disability and related diagnosed and undiagnosed social-communicative difficulties. Exclusive interview series with Social Thinking founder Michelle Garcia Winner click here.
The Friends Program, Palo Alto, [email protected],
The Friends Program is a therapeutic group program designed to address the developing needs of young children with Asperger’s Disorder and their families: The Friends Program. Middle School Maze Group is for girls who are anxious about the social world of middle school with its heightened social expectations, changing connections, and increasing educational pressures.
The Talking Playhouse, Redwood City,info@talkingplayhouse,
Social Skills programs differentiate and are usually combined with other skills to learn.
Developmental Pathways, Redwood City, [email protected]
The Integrated Play Group® Program allows guided participation in play for children who encounter problems entering into imaginative and social play activities. This program supports children who have limited play skills (novice players) in mutually enjoyed play activities with the typical peers (expert players). The program offers natural opportunities for children to make friendships and learn through play. Each week over 100 students from Redeemer (“expert players”) join DPK clients in facilitated peer play groups. At DPK we have facilitated more than 6,000 play groups in our thirteen year partnership with Redeemer Lutheran School. The program has been a model for schools throughout the United States. Ages 3- 8.
Quest Therapeutic Camps, Menlo Park, contact
For Kids who have done their summer program there is an after school program. Using the Quest summer model, the program provides an activity hour to work with the children within a naturalistic environment and an hour of group therapy to focus on individual goals, social and emotional skill development and group dynamics.
Shire House Social Opportunity
Every Friday night, from 6 to 9, rain or shine, we open our doors to other young adults (18-28) on the high functioning end of the Autism spectrum. Throughout the house the young adults are playing video games, board games, puzzles or just hanging out. Pizza and drinks are provided and the suggested fee is 10 dollars. Shire House is at 1831 Georgetta Dr. in San Jose 95125. No need to rsvp, our # is 408 841 9049.
Teen Hang Out Community Gatepath
Hang Outs are social gatherings for young adults ages 13-22 with ASD/HFA. These are opportunities to meet friends, play board games, video games, watch movies, or just kick back and chat. Attendees enjoy pizza, drinks and snacks. The young adults are grouped in separate age appropriate activities.Activities will alternate based on what friends want to do while hanging out. Money will be collected the day of the event. We host Hang Outs every third Friday from 6-9pm, $20 with online RSVP $25 at the door at 350 Twin Dolphin Dr, Suite 123, Redwood City, CA 94065.
Community Gatepath also has Film and media arts Classes for ages 8-17 and 18 and up.
POP-Events by PFF project
Meet ups where people with developmental disabilities to find people with common interest and to share your interests. Age groups 12-17 and adults.