Social Skills Coaching for Autistic Teens & Young Adults

Everything we do that involves other people requires social and communication skills. These skills may be underdeveloped for autistic and other neurodivergent people. The isolation brought on by COVID-19 continues to affect many people’s comfort in social interactions.

At IRL, we provide social skills coaching with a focus on autistic and other neurodiverse teens and young adults. The coaching we provide transforms lives through improved relationships, better communication in a variety of environments, and increased self-knowledge, advocacy, and empowerment. IRL courses are fun, interactive, supportive and very effective.

We all need friends, peer support, and connection in order to succeed in life. IRL Social Skills can help you or your socially struggling loved one go from striving to thriving.

GIVE US 16 weeks – We’LL TRANSFORM YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

HOW IT WORKS

Our 16-week Social Skills Academy is unique in its approach. Each course has no more than 12 students and 12 parents/caregivers/social coaches. While students are receiving instruction and practicing their new skills with neurodivergent peers and IRL coaches, parents join a breakout room to receive guidance for supporting their loved one at home.

This parent-mediated approach is what makes our program so effective. It sets students up for success by reinforcing the skills learned and practiced in class. Parents also receive support as they learn how to be more effective communicators, using an easy-to-follow, step-by-step method that works.

NOW ENROLLING – January 2024 CLASSES

Class Schedule

Each class meets once weekly for 16 weeks. More classes will be added to accommodate the demand and eliminate a waitlist.

  • Class meets Wednesdays starting January 31

    6:30-8:15 pm Eastern time for families in East Coast or Midwest time zones

    6:30–8:15pm Pacific time for families in Pacific or Mountain time zones

  • Class meets Thursdays starting February 1st

    6:30-8:15 pm Eastern time for families in East Coast or Midwest time zones

    6:30–8:15pm Pacific time for families in Pacific or Mountain time zones

  • Class meets Mondays starting January 29th

    6:30-8:15 pm Eastern time for families in East Coast or Midwest time zones

    6:30–8:15pm Pacific time for families in Pacific or Mountain time zones

  • Class meets TUESDAYS starting January 30th

    6:30-8:15 pm Eastern time for families in East Coast or Midwest time zones

    6:30–8:15pm Pacific time for families in Pacific or Mountain time zones

ENROLL TODAY

Enrollment begins with a no-cost consultation with one of our coordinators. They’ll get more information about your needs and concerns, tell you all about our programs, and help you decide to enroll. To book a consult, please select the correct age/class below.

 
 

Everything is included in tuition

 

Homework assigned at every class is due prior to the following week’s class. Parents access a homework tracker form to report to help assess progress and integration of the lessons.

Courses include all handouts and materials (no books required) that will be available for review to students after the course has been completed. Classes are recorded and made available for review throughout the course and for six months afterward.

How to Enroll

Enrollment begins with a brief consultation with a member of our staff to hear about your family’s individual needs and concerns. During this call, you and your child can ask questions about the courses and get all your questions answered. There is no charge for this consultation.

 
 
 
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Based on UCLA’s renowned PEERS® curriculum

PEERS® has received recognition as the only evidence-based manualized program under Social Skills Training (SST) by the University of North Carolina in their 2020 National Clearinghouse for Autistic Evidence and Practices report.

 
 

PEERS® was developed in 2004 by UCLA’s Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, a licensed clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

PEERS® provides didactic instruction with concrete research derived steps to help socially struggling adolescents and young adults and their social coach (parent/caregiver). Students must attend each session with a social coach (i.e., parent, family member, adult sibling, life coach, job coach, peer mentor, etc). Social coaches are taught how to assist clients in the acquisition of the skills presented by providing feedback during weekly socialization homework assignments.

COMMUNICATE BETTER

  • We teach and coach effective strategies and techniques to enter and exit conversations gracefully—without being “fake” or masking.

  • Use humor more appropriately and effectively in a variety of different social situations.

  • Have two-way conversations that demonstrate interest in the other person and help to build camaraderie and understanding.

NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS

  • Identify appropriate friends based on shared interests, then learn how to maintain those friendships over time.

  • Develop romantic relationships and use appropriate dating etiquette.

BE SAFE, SEEN and STRONG

  • We provide scripts and coaching for how to handle direct and indirect bullying.

  • Learn how to be your own best advocate.

  • Become skilled in emotional self-regulation and awareness.

 
 
 

Got questions?

To help you determine whether our program is a good fit for you and your child, we offer a free 15-minute Zoom call. We will interview you and your teen or young adult to determine your specific concerns and challenges and how we can help.

MARA McLOUGHLIN, MS, CCC-SLP
FOUNDER & LEAD FACILITATOR