How We Build Social and Emotional Skills in Community Settings

Encouraging and Maintaining Friendships

We support Benji and Giulietta in building and maintaining meaningful friendships by creating regular opportunities for positive social experiences. We make sure to set up time for them to see their friends so that these relationships can grow and strengthen.

During outings, we help them practice important social skills such as taking turns, sharing, starting conversations, and responding to their peers using their iPad or PECS binder when needed.

We focus on activities they enjoy, like going bowling, hiking, visiting the mall, spending time at coffee shops, baking with friends, or swimming. These shared experiences help them have fun while learning how to engage with others in meaningful ways.

Support workers spend time with Benji and Giulietta more like friends than teachers. We join in their activities and have fun together so that practicing social skills happens naturally and without any pressure.

Our goal is to make social time feel natural and fun, while still offering the gentle guidance they may need. By fostering these friendships in safe and familiar environments, we help Benji and Giulietta strengthen their social skills and deepen their connections with others.

Building Confidence through Participation

We gradually increase Benji and Giulietta’s opportunities for leadership by encouraging them to initiate interactions with staff, peers, and community members. For example, they may ask for help finding an item at the mall, locating a book at the library, or selecting groceries at the store, using their iPad or PECS binder to communicate. We also provide opportunities for them to make choices about which activities or outings they want to participate in, such as deciding where they want to go. These experiences allow them to feel in control and actively participate.

Safety and Awareness

When out in the community, we support Benji and Giulietta in understanding personal space, boundaries, and appropriate behavior in public settings. While we acknowledge that they will always need adult support, we explain the "why" behind these rules and routines to help them understand and build awareness.