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Social Skills Therapy for Children with Autism in Oakville: What to Expect-At our Autism Center for Kids in Oakville, one of the most common concerns we hear from families is:
“My child struggles to connect with other kids—how can I help them build real friendships?”

That’s where social skills therapy comes in.

Whether your child is struggling with playdates, school interactions, or simply understanding the “rules” of conversation, social skills therapy offers a supportive and structured way to help. And best of all—it’s not about fixing your child, it’s about helping them feel more confident and connected just as they are.

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💬 🧩 Social Skills Therapy for Children with Autism in Oakville: What Is Social Skills Therapy?

Social skills therapy is a form of developmental support that helps children with autism learn and practice the social and emotional skills needed to:

• Make and keep friends
• Understand body language and facial expressions
• Take turns and share
• Handle teasing or rejection
• Express themselves clearly
• Build stronger relationships with family and peers

At our Oakville center, we use play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that support children where they are—not where others expect them to be.

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👧 Who Can Benefit from Social Skills Therapy?

Social skills therapy is helpful for:

• Children with autism who find social situations overwhelming or confusing
• Kids who avoid group play or feel anxious around peers
• Verbal and non-verbal children who need structured practice in interaction
• Teens on the spectrum seeking deeper friendships or emotional connection

At our Oakville location, we work with kids of all ages and tailor every session to their communication style, sensory needs, and unique personality.

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🧠 What Happens in a Session?

Here’s what families can expect when starting social skills therapy at our center:

1. ✨ Initial Consultation & Observation

We start with a welcoming, low-pressure session to learn about your child’s strengths, needs, and challenges. This includes both one-on-one time with your child and a conversation with you, the parent.

2. 🎯 Individualized Goals

Based on your child’s current skills, we set realistic and meaningful goals such as:

• “Ask a peer to join in play”
• “Recognize when someone is upset”
• “Use words or pictures to express frustration”

Every child’s goals are personalized and progress is celebrated at every step.

3. 🧩 Practice Through Play

We use role-play, modeling, games, visual supports, and social stories to rehearse real-life situations. Common themes include:

• Making eye contact (only if your child is comfortable)
• Understanding personal space
• Starting conversations
• Resolving disagreements

All sessions are playful and child-led—no forced behavior or rigid rules.

4. 👥 Group or 1:1 Sessions

We offer both:

• Individual sessions for personalized coaching
• Small group sessions where children can practice with peers in a safe, supportive setting

For younger children, parents may also be invited to participate.

5. 🏡 Home Strategies

We keep you involved by providing tools you can use at home:

• Visual prompts
• Conversation starters
• Scripts for social scenarios
• Positive reinforcement techniques

We work together to help your child generalize their skills to real-world situations—like school, family events, or the playground.

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💡 Our Approach: No ABA, No Pressure

At our Oakville center, we do not use traditional ABA methods. Instead, we focus on developmental, respectful, and child-led therapies such as:

💙 DIR/Floortime

This approach centers around play and emotional connection, helping kids build social skills by engaging with what they love.

🧠 Social Thinking Curriculum

We teach kids to understand how others think and feel, without teaching them to “mask” or suppress their natural behaviors.

🧸 Play Therapy

Ideal for younger kids, this helps them express emotions and develop social skills through imaginative play.

🧍‍♀️ Sensory Integration Support

Many children with autism struggle socially due to sensory sensitivities. We work closely with occupational therapists to help children stay regulated and engaged.

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🔍 How Do I Know if My Child Needs This?

Ask yourself:

• Does my child avoid group play or conversations?
• Do they have trouble making or keeping friends?
• Do they not seem to understand facial expressions or tone of voice?
• Are they often overwhelmed in social situations?
• Do they want to connect, but just don’t know how?

If you answered yes to any of the above, social skills therapy can be a transformative support.

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🧑‍⚕️ Why Families in Oakville Choose Us

Here’s what makes our Autism Center for Kids in Oakville stand out:

• ✅ Child-first, neurodiversity-affirming approach
• ✅ No behavior charts, no punishments—just compassion and skill-building
• ✅ Experienced therapists who specialize in autism, sensory needs, and communication differences
• ✅ Warm, welcoming space designed for kids to feel safe
• ✅ Flexible sessions in 1:1 or group format
• ✅ Family-focused—we walk the journey with you

We believe that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are.

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📍 Serving Oakville & Beyond

Our center is located in Oakville and proudly serves families from:

• Burlington
• Mississauga
• Milton
• Etobicoke
• Surrounding areas in the GTA

We also offer virtual social skills therapy for families across Ontario.

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🗓 Ready to Get Started?

We offer:

• Free phone consultations
• In-person and virtual sessions
• Programs for ages 4 to 18
• Support for both verbal and non-verbal communicators

📞 Contact us today to book your first session or learn more about our programs.

Let’s help your child connect, communicate, and shine—on their own terms. 🌈

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