Friendship Clubs
Peer groups for children with autism and other social challenges
Helping Your child make real friends and build social confidence
Socialization is key to growth, confidence, and overall happiness.
Many children and young adults with autism or other social challenges find it difficult to connect with peers.
Maybe they live in an area where social opportunities are limited or struggle to engage in typical social settings.
No child should feel isolated or left out, and every child deserves the chance to form meaningful friendships.
Unfortunately, mainstream settings don’t always provide the right environment for these kids to truly feel included.
Bringing kids together to build skills and have fun
At ASMS, our Friendship clubs are specially designed to help school aged children and young adults with autism and other social challenges form real, lasting connections.
We get your children and young adults together with others like them - creating safe, comfortable settings where they can interact, play, and grow.
Our online and in-person groups are facilitated by skilled BCBAs and RBTs, who guide activities and lessons to develop social skills in a fun, structured way.
Your child will have the opportunity to connect with peers who truly understand and share their interests.
Learning & playing
Each session includes a dedicated teaching element where children learn important social skills and practice them in a safe, supportive environment, guided by skilled BCBAs and RBTs.
Matched groups
We match children not only by interests but also by ability, ensuring non-verbal children or those with specific challenges can connect with peers who understand and share similar communication styles, like using assistive devices.
Expand Interests
Children can explore new activities and interests while bonding over shared hobbies. They’ll have the chance to move beyond narrow interests and engage in a broader range of social interactions with others.
Progress reports
Parents receive detailed reports that track their child’s progress, highlighting social skill development, communication improvements, and overall engagement, giving you insight into their growth over time.
How to get started
1
Reach out for a chat
Contact us to discuss your child's needs and interests. We'll answer any questions you have and explore how our Friendship clubs can support your child’s social growth.
2
Get matched with a group
We’ll carefully match your child with a group based on their ability, interests, and age - ensuring they feel comfortable and ready to connect with others.
3
Start getting social
Your child will join their new group and begin learning and practicing social skills in a fun, supportive environment with expert guidance.
Creating a safe space in NJ to learn and socialize
Working together to support your child with ASD
At ASMS, we saw how many children struggled to find safe, supportive spaces to build friendships.
It wasn’t necessarily their ASD diagnosis. There were a range of factors that impacted getting children and young adults together.
Seeing this, we created Friendship Clubs —small, guided sessions that help children with and without ASD connect, socialize, and grow in a nurturing environment.