Social skills during the summer?

[Anonymous]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but we just arrived recently from Europe, and I was wondering what to do with my 8 yo DS during the summer that would help him develop more social skills with peers. DS has MERLD, and sometimes has difficulty expressing himself - takes a long time to find words or alternatively uses an incorrect word or sentence structure to speed up his delivery. He has speech therapy at school.

I have observed his social difficulties at recess - he cannot follow casual games with a group, because either he does not understand the rules or wants to change them when the rest of the group does not. He has lots of ideas for play, but does not have enough authority to lead a group and most of the times his ideas are far removed from his age group (a re-enactment of the allied invasion of Normandy during WWII, anyone?). So he tags along making disconnected comments until the group leaders oust him, and then he either spends recess playing by himself or he finds a good-natured child willing to listen to him.
We have not yet set up any playdates at home.

I would appreciate any advice. Is organized sports a good idea, or a straight-up social skills class, if there are any? DS is not a sports fan (tried karate and didn't like it), with the possible exception of soccer. What exactly is the social skills value in sports? Camaraderie and inclusion?
Other ideas?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I would probably do a social skills class but also supplement with private speech therapy.

[Anonymous]

Alvord Baker & Associates in Rockville and Silver Spring has ongoing social skills groups. Spring session is ending and summer session starts in June. Recommended.

[Anonymous]

OP,

I would also look into the Lab School of Washington Summer Program.
http://www.labschool.org/summerprograms

You also might find these links useful:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/302710.page#3493432

[Anonymous]

Also contact Ivymount to see what social skills stuff they have. I think they have a camp called Take 2 that is supposed to be good. Also Sue Abrams was running social skills/social thinking groups using Michelle Garcia Winner's approach, which is an excellent approach. (You can also get some resources for home on the Social Thinking dot com website. They have nice books for kids. But what is really needed is practice). I also like Model Me Kids videos that can be used at home and then role played with parent, siblings, or babysitter. You can use rewards for participating and make it fun that way.

[Anonymous]

Auburn in silver spring has camps duringthe summer where they would work on this.

[Anonymous]

Be careful with Alvord Baker. Heard good things, but my child learned negative behaviors.

OP are you in DC, Maryland or Virginia?

[Anonymous]

OP here.

19:51, what negative behaviors? Do you mean that they do not group the children appropriately?

We are in Bethesda, MD.

Thank you everyone, for your help.

[Anonymous]

Children can learn negative behaviors anywhere. Alvord Baker has an excellent reputation overall.