Social Connections – our monthly Social Connections group is going strong and our tweens and teens and adults love it! We welcome new participants at this time!
Contact our Social Connections Facilitator, Jennifer Groce at socialconnections@autismmv.org with any questions or for program details or for required program registration signup go to:
AutismMV.org/socialThis group meets monthly and attendance is required monthly.
Our July event will be on July 15 at Austintown Township Park. The event will be Picnic, Lawn Games and Social Time.
Details provided to registered participants.
This event is part of our Social Connections Monthly Program. Come together with others to share interests, overcome challenges and form friendships in a supportive environment.
— Tween/Teen Group (ages 12-17 yo) – 11am-12:30pm
— Young Adult Group (ages 18+) – 1-2:30pm
*If you are already enrolled in Social Connections check your email for March event registration very soon or email Jennifer at: socialconnections@autismmv.org
This monthly social connections group will be facilitated by professionals to empower our Autistic community towards developing confidence and ease in social situations. Our mission is to create lasting friendships within and beyond our group. In order to achieve this important goal, we are searching for individuals who are able to participate regularly. Please only register if you plan on attending consistently in order to promote meaningful relationships.
Social Connections is currently a no-cost program, other than event day expenses (example: $15 for bowling, shoe rental, and lunch costs). **We are actively searching for annual and monthly business sponsors to help with future costs – please contact us!
Social Connections is appropriate for tweens/teens (12-17 yo) and young adults (18+ yr) with autism with low to moderate support needs. Individuals need to be able to communicate verbally, or communicate well with an AAC device. Individuals should be able to participate on their own with minimal support. Parents or caregivers are to attend but should sit off from the group. Activity costs vary based on each month’s event, but will be kept minimal. Each group is only open to 20 individuals at this time. If there is a need we will happily expand the group and hire additional professional staff. We will be sending out a full online survey to gather more information soon to those who register.
The Social Connections Group is being facilitated by Jennifer Groce. Jennifer is an intervention specialist at Potential Development. We plan to have an additional 1-2 professional support staff to assist. Our support staff includes: Jessica (teacher at Youngstown City Schools) and Joe or Julia, BCBAs from Rich Center.
Almost 8 years ago Social Connections was a program of the then Autism Society of Ohio, Mahoning Valley. We were then ready to launch for April 2020 and then the pandemic hit. So we are excited to bring back this program to help teens and young adults meet and work on their social skills in a relaxed and fun way.
