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FAQs

To help you better understand the Steps to Socialization program and make an informed decision about your child’s participation, we’ve compiled and answered some frequently asked questions.

How is Steps to Socialization different from a social skills group?

At s2s, children are taught the specific skills they need to navigate the social world successfully. Our groups are small (3-4 children), allowing our instructors to guide participants through activities that teach them how to decode the hidden rules of social interactions and adapt their behavior accordingly.

By contrast, many social skills programs place children in larger groups where they engage in open-ended games and activities, but don’t learn the discrete components of effective social interaction. More often than not, these programs teach social skills through scripting, a technique that doesn’t impart how children can adjust their behavior based on the social situation they’re in.

What is social thinking?

Social thinking is the ability to observe, predict and adjust our behavior based on what’s happening around us.

Social thinking occurs everywhere and all the time – when we’re riding on a bicycle, reading a book, walking in the mall or playing on the ball field. A good analogy is how members of an orchestra observe the conductor and other musicians to adjust their tempo and play well together.

For many people, social thinking is ingrained in that it’s learned intuitively from birth on. But, individuals with social thinking challenges don’t possess or learn these skills intuitively. They must be taught how to think socially, step by step.

What is perspective taking?

Perspective taking is a key component of social thinking that involves considering the thoughts of people we interact with along with our own thoughts. This is a complex process that requires us to quickly process and respond to many levels of information simultaneously.

By way of example, imagine walking into a bookstore and starting to look at the books. Someone walks up and stands next to you. You immediately have a thought about them. You may wonder why they’re standing next to you. Are they just looking at the books? Do they want something from you? Are they going to harm you? You use your social knowledge and observation skills to pose and answer these questions.

Also, you likely realize that the other person is probably having a similar reaction to your presence. Since most of us want others to have positive thoughts about us, you might change or adjust your behavior to ensure those good thoughts.

So, in this case, you might move over to make room for the other person.

Why do you keep your groups so small?

Typically, students with social thinking challenges have difficulty attending to others around them. They’re bright and capable, but easily distracted.

Our program curriculum focuses on helping your child learn to comprehend what other people are thinking and feeling.

The small group size makes it easier for participants to ‘stay in the group,’ take in the lesson and practice their new skills without being overwhelmed.

Why do you only work with children who have age-appropriate language skills?

Children in the s2s social learning program need to be able to understand that others have thoughts that are different from their own. This aptitude allows them to comprehend the abstract concepts that we introduce in very concrete ways.

We’ve found that children with average to above-average cognitive skills usually have this ability.

Do you work with adults and older children who have social thinking challenges?

Yes. We’re a true social learning community. We work with adults and older children one-on-one and in groups, depending on the individual’s needs and goals. Among the issues we address in these sessions are: