Social Connection Group

At Capable Kids, we believe in the power of neurodiversity. We understand and embrace that each child and young person we work with is uniquely wired, with distinct strengths, perspectives, and ways of interacting with the world. We know that our neurodiverse clients, including those with Autism, ADHD, Developmental Language Disorder, and other forms of neurodiversity, are not broken and need fixing—they’re beautifully different.

However, we also recognise the desire among some of our young people to comprehend better and navigate neurotypical communication and social skills. This is why we’ve created our Social Connection Groups—an innovative and affirming approach to perspective-taking, friendships and social understanding.

Embracing Neurodiversity, Encouraging Connections
Our Social Connection Groups are designed to provide a supportive, affirming, and safe environment for neurodiverse children and young people to form relationships, develop their identities, and express their interests and passions authentically. These groups bring together like-minded individuals in similar age groups, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.

While we may use curriculum items from traditional social skills training programs like PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) and Kids Konnect, we frame these lessons carefully. We liken learning neurotypical social skills to learning a foreign language—it can be helpful in certain circumstances, but it’s not a prerequisite for a rewarding experience. Just as understanding French can enhance a trip to France but shouldn’t dictate the quality of your holiday, neurotypical social skills are tools to use when desired, not necessities that define your worth or enjoyment of life.

Nurturing Authenticity, Understanding Costs
While we provide opportunities to understand neurotypical social skills, we also focus on self-advocacy and understanding, emphasising that these skills don’t make our young people “better” or improved versions of themselves. We discuss the potential costs of using a language or skill set not naturally programmed into their neurotype, helping them understand the concept of masking.

Celebrating Neurodivergent Identity, Values, and Interests
Our group activities and discussions foster a sense of pride in neurodivergent identity, values, and interests. We explore topics such as initiating and maintaining conversations, handling teasing and bullying, and making and keeping friends. We strive to cultivate an environment where our young people feel heard, understood and celebrated for who they are.
At Capable Kids, we’re not just about teaching skills—we’re about fostering connections, celebrating differences, and empowering our young people to lead fulfilling, authentic lives. Join us in our mission to embrace and affirm the beauty of neurodiversity.