group therapy

Social Skills Groups for Young Adults

For the past 10 years, Leslie Sickels has facilitated a structured social/recreational group for young adults with ASD or similar profiles. This weekly group aims to assist young adults in strengthening their interpersonal skills in a peer-based social environment. The group is run in an ongoing, 3-week cycle. The first two weeks are in the office and the third week is at an outing in Manhattan. During office meetings, the group offers social connection and allows members to provide and receive support on various topics, such as work, living at home/with roommates, dating, maintaining friendships, etc. Along with strengthening social skills, the group allows for practice of executive functioning skills by planning the logistics of a social outing, including identifying and agreeing on a place to go, planning travel routes and cost along with coordinating any additional arrangements or reservations. During outing weeks, the group travels to various locations around NYC, ranging from restaurants to bowling to mini-golf.  This group is a helpful adjunct to individual therapy, as it allows young adults to practice and strengthen the social skills they have learned in therapy or other groups in a safe, supported environment with similarly-aged peers.

Spouse/Partner Group

This monthly group is in partnership with AANE. It is a free support group for spouses/partners of individuals with ASD or an ASD profile. It provides opportunities to connect with other partners about the unique rewards and challenges of being in a neurodiverse relationship. This group allows partners to share experiences and receive supportive feedback and suggestions from others in the group. This group meets virtually on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30pm-8pm. For upcoming group dates, visit https://www.aane.org/resources/adults/support-social-groups-couples-partners/.