Girls Social Communication Groups

Event Description:

You asked. We answered!

Following the incredible response to our Riding the Wave camp, many families shared that they wanted continued opportunities for their children to build confidence, friendships, and social communication skills. 

We are offering two separate boys' and girls' groups for children ages 7-9 and 10-12. We hope these groups will provide a wonderful opportunity to continue building confidence, friendships, and real-world social communication skills in a fun, supportive environment.

Led by Melanie Rosenthal, M.S., CCC-SLP, our engaging, activity-based groups help boys and girls help girls build confidence, strengthen friendships, develop reciprocal conversation skills, learn how to join group interactions, and communicate more spontaneously and flexibly in everyday situations
—all in a warm, supportive environment.

Each group is intentionally kept small (4–6 participants) to maximize participation, individualized coaching, and meaningful peer connections. We also collaborate with parents, therapists, and schools (with permission) to help children generalize new skills beyond the group setting.

Get Started: Each participant completes a one-time, 50-minute individual screening ($185) prior to the start of the group. This helps us individualize goals, ensure a good group fit, and maximize each child's progress.

Group fee: $95 per group session
Superbills are available for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

📍 Virtual | Open to children in New Jersey & Pennsylvania
In-person groups will be formed based on interest
📅 Mondays/Tuesdays at 4:00 PM (every other week)
4 session series

Looking for an opportunity to help your child continue practicing the skills developed this summer and build greater social confidence?

We'd love to have your child join us.

                                            Frequently Asked Questions

Are virtual groups really effective?
 
Yes! Our groups are designed to be highly interactive and engaging. Through games, collaborative activities, role-plays, and guided discussion, participants practice social communication skills in real time while connecting with peers from the comfort of home. Many children feel more comfortable participating virtually, allowing them to build confidence and generalize these skills to school, home, and community settings.

How do I know if this group is the right fit for my child?
 
Before joining, we recommend that each participant completes an individual screening with our speech-language pathologist. This helps us better understand your child's strengths, goals, and areas of difficulty, determine whether the group is a good fit, and individualize activities to maximize each participant's growth.

How is confidentiality handled?

To help protect privacy, participants use first names only during group sessions. 
 
When do groups begin?
 
Group registration begins July 13th. We are careful to ensure group cohesiveness. Once enrollment is complete for each age group, all interested families will receive the official start date and additional details.

Who leads the group?
 
Groups are facilitated by Melanie Rosenthal, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist specializing in social communication, in collaboration Devora Scher, Psy.D. 

Will my child's therapist or school be involved?
 
With your written consent, we are happy to collaborate with your child's therapist, school team, or other providers. Our goal is to promote consistency across settings and help children generalize the skills they practice in group to everyday life.

Who can participate?
 
At this time, groups are open to children residing in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
 
What if my child is shy or anxious?
 
Many participants join because they feel nervous in social situations. Our groups are designed to be warm, supportive, and individualized, helping children gradually build confidence while practicing new skills in a low-pressure environment.

How many children are in each group?
Groups are intentionally kept small, with approximately 4–6 participants, to maximize individualized attention, active participation, opportunities to practice, and personalized feedback.
 
Will parents be involved?
 
Yes. Parent involvement is an important part of our social communication program. Parents will meet with the clinician periodically to review progress, receive individualized recommendations, and learn ways to reinforce new social communication skills at home and in everyday interactions.

--
Devora Scher, Psy.D.
NJ Licensed Psychologist #6845
NY Licensed Psychologist #26014
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PsyPact #1558
https://ridingthewavecenter.com

Event Details: