Social Skills Training, Maplewood

In Maplewood, New Jersey, social skills training helps children practice real peer interaction in a guided setting. This page explains what type of group programs we offer, what skills are taught, and how sessions run. You begin with a brief skills check, then join a matched group. Care is led by an Applied Behavior Analysis therapist focused on daily peer success.

Social skills groups match children by age and learning level

This service is for children who want to connect with peers but struggle in group settings. Groups are formed by age and skill level, so each child feels comfortable and supported.

Most groups include six to eight children with two trained staff. Sessions run once a week in eight- to twelve-week cycles, giving your child time to build trust and practice.

Families in Maplewood often join when school or playdates start to feel hard.

Sessions teach turn-taking, conversation, and emotional awareness

This service is for children who miss social cues or feel unsure with peers. Sessions focus on skills that shape everyday interaction.

Children practice turn-taking, sharing, conversation, problem-solving, and coping strategies. Activities mirror real play and classroom moments, so skills feel natural.

Families in Essex County see progress when children begin joining games, staying in groups, and handling small frustrations.

Small group formats create safe practice with real peers

This service is for children who freeze, withdraw, or act out in group settings. Small groups make it easier to try new skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Each group includes a few peers and two trained staff. Children receive real-time coaching during play, games, and shared tasks.

Families near Maplewood Village value this format because it feels social, not clinical, while still offering structure and support.

Saffron ABA Therapy

511 Valley St, Maplewood, NJ 07040, United States

Mon: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Tues: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wed: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Thurs: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Please call (973) 902-8330 to check for availability and schedule an appointment

Programs run in center, school-ready, and community settings

This service is for children who need social skills across more than one setting. Some practice happens in our center, while other sessions take place in real community spaces.

Children may work on peer skills in group rooms, then apply them at playgrounds, stores, or local outings. These sessions focus on greeting others, staying with a group, and following shared rules.

Families in Short Hills value seeing skills transfer from the group room into everyday life.

Group training strengthens progress from one-on-one ABA

This service is for children already receiving individual support who need practice with peers. Group sessions add real social challenges that one-on-one work cannot provide.

Skills taught during individual therapy are rehearsed with other children in structured activities. Coaches guide each interaction so progress stays aligned with your child’s goals.

Families in Livingston often combine social skill training with one-on-one and center-based ABA to build confidence in both learning and social settings.

Parents receive coaching to support skills between sessions

This service is for families who want social progress to continue outside the group room. Parents receive brief feedback after sessions and simple strategies they can use at home or during playdates.

You learn how to prompt, model, and reinforce skills like greetings, sharing, and staying with a group. This keeps expectations consistent across settings.

Families in Union value this support because it helps new skills show up during real play, not only in group time.

What Families Often Ask About Social Skills Training in Maplewood

What age groups are social skills training programs designed for?

Our groups serve children from preschool through the teen years, with sessions matched by age and developmental stage so skills feel relevant and comfortable.

How long does social skills training take?

Most programs run once a week in 8–12 week cycles, giving children time to build trust, practice, and apply skills between sessions.

Is social skills training available for children with autism or ADHD?

Yes, our groups are designed for children with autism, ADHD, and other social or emotional challenges, using neurodiversity-affirming, play-based methods.

How does social skills training differ from ABA therapy?

ABA builds individual learning and behavior skills, while social skills groups focus on real peer interaction, like conversation, turn-taking, and teamwork in small groups.

Does NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid cover social skills training in Maplewood, NJ?

NJ FamilyCare often covers social skills groups when they are part of an ABA or autism treatment plan, based on medical necessity and prior authorization.