North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS), along with HANDS TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca, is offering a 4-week social skills group for motivated youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ages 10-14, who are interested in learning social skills.

Parents are kept informed of skills taught through mandatory pre and post meetings with clinicians. The first meeting is Wednesday, July 29th, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the second meeting is Wednesday, September 2, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Classes are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. in the month of August 2015. Regular attendance is imperative and enrolment is limited. Snacks will be provided.

Location: In the gymnasium, at the NEOFACS site at 457 Wilcox Avenue, Timmins.

Topics of Instruction:

  • How to choose appropriate friends
  • How to carry a conversation
  • How to appropriately use humour
  • How to enter and exit conversations between peers
  • How to be a good sport
  • How to recognize boundaries and relationships
  • How to consider the perspective of others
  • How to handle rumors and gossip

Pre-requisites of Application:

  •  Have a social skills deficit
  •  Have a diagnosis of Asperger or High Functioning Autism with good verbal skills
  •  Be aged between 10-14 years old
  • Youth must agree to participate in the program voluntarily

Application Process:

  • Call the HANDS office at 1-800-668-8555 by Monday June 15, 2015 and indicate that you are interested in participating in the social skills group in Timmins. Your information will be obtained.
  •  A clinician will contact you for further information and to book an Intake meeting with you and your child/youth.
  • Come in (parent) for a 2-hour meeting on July 29 from 6-8 p.m. to fill out forms. and gather information.