Secret Agent Society vs traditional social skills group?

[Anonymous]

We are looking for a social skills group for DS8 for the fall. He has ADHD+ possible ASD. I saw SAS on a previous post and it looked interesting. We completed the first Unstuck and On Target class last year, which was good but has been harder to apply in daily life—and expensive enough that it would be a lot to do again in the fall with SAS.

Has anyone just done the computer game at home?

We were also thinking about doing a more traditional social skills class—have heard good things about Sue Abrams at the Center for Communication and Learning or Skillbuilders in VA.

Any thoughts from those with experience with any of these? My inclination is to hit the social skills hard right now, but I want it to be fun for him too.

[Anonymous]

We've done both sue Abrams and unstuck. Unstuck is the stronger program.

For practice, try one on one opportunities. Try looking in the index of the rick Lavoie book, it's so much work to be your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've done both sue Abrams and unstuck. Unstuck is the stronger program.

For practice, try one on one opportunities. Try looking in the index of the rick Lavoie book, it's so much work to be your friend.

I agree that unstuck is stronger than sue Abrams, in part because ivymount does a better job at putting similar kids together. But I haven't done their advanced programs.

Nothing has worked as well for us as a school based group where the social worker and slp facilitated play/conversations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've done both sue Abrams and unstuck. Unstuck is the stronger program.

For practice, try one on one opportunities. Try looking in the index of the rick Lavoie book, it's so much work to be your friend.

I agree that unstuck is stronger than sue Abrams, in part because ivymount does a better job at putting similar kids together. But I haven't done their advanced programs.

Nothing has worked as well for us as a school based group where the social worker and slp facilitated play/conversations.

+1. Same for DS10 with ASD/ADHD.

[Anonymous]

OP here—thanks. Has anyone done SAS?

[Anonymous]

We did a social skills group at Skillbuilders and dropped out. They claim to put thought into groupings, but do not. We had 1 major request-no kids with aggression because we want o child to feel safe. One of the boys was a biter/kicker/shove over kid. I point blank asked why they assured me there would be no aggressive kids and my kid came out with bruises. First they played dumb, but I got to know the nanny in the waitroom and learned this was a regular struggle for the child. Eventually the leaders said it wasn't their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did a social skills group at Skillbuilders and dropped out. They claim to put thought into groupings, but do not. We had 1 major request-no kids with aggression because we want o child to feel safe. One of the boys was a biter/kicker/shove over kid. I point blank asked why they assured me there would be no aggressive kids and my kid came out with bruises. First they played dumb, but I got to know the nanny in the waitroom and learned this was a regular struggle for the child. Eventually the leaders said it wasn't their choice.

Did want to add in defense of SkillBuilders we did like our first OT a lot. She moved, second was not good, but we did get another winner after that. Just wouldn't trust them for groups, though you could give them a chance. Do NOT pay for the group in full if you try it. Ask to pay as you go.

[Anonymous]

I've given up paying for social skills groups. I think it's a waste of money. You never know how the kids will click, what the issues are or if any bonds would form regardless of the issues. We are now at a school with a strong social skills program where the kids already are familiar with each other and have an interest in connecting and a social worker implementing the Unstuck/Social Thinking curriculum.

[Anonymous]

While I'm not sure if the social skills group (speech group, lunch bunches) at school help my DC with pragmatics, I do notice that peers from those groups acknowledge DC (by saying hi, trying to make a conversation) outside the school setting.
With the Unstuck group, the kids in my DC group didn't even seem to interact outside the classroom setting (not even in the lobby area).

[Anonymous]

I have seen the references to Secret Agent Society and an intrigurd because my kid loves spies and secret agents. Let me know if you try it!

[Anonymous]

There is an SAS summer camp by Alliance Pediatrics. Session 2 might still be available. It' in Rockville near Montrose and Jefferson Roads.