For many individuals with special needs, finding and maintaining friendships can be a challenge. Delayed social skills, communication barriers, lack of transportation and behavioral challenges are just a few of the reasons that so many struggle in this area. And it’s hard to balance the need for relationships with typically developing peers with the need for guided instruction in developing appropriate social skills.
Each situation is different, but here are some organizations that are working hard to target the unique social needs of children, teens and adults with special needs.
League of Friends (outings): 3rd-5th grade & 6th-12th grade
Allstars (social skills classes): pre-k through 12th grade
Future Allstars (summer camp)
Meet-ups: Pre-k, K-5th, middle school and high school, young adults (up to age 26)
Teen Talk (discussions about relevant topics): 6th-12th grade
Just Girl Time Please (discussions & outings): 6th-12th grade
Rising Stars (self-development program): ages 16-26
Sailing into Adulthood (life-skills program): ages 17-26
Centauri program (independence development): ages 16-26
Arise Bible Study for Adults - spiritual development group for adults 18+ with special needs (Bible study, service projects and fellowship events)
A.C.T.S Awana - Wed nights from 6:45-8, ages 2-18; activities designed to develop faither in Jesus via games, songs, scripture memory and Biblical principals; at Friendship Baptist Church in The Colony
Austen’s Autistic Adventures - Daily opportunities for adults with special needs
Connecting Cool Kids: ages 3rd-8th grade with high-functioning autism/Asperger’s
Adults with Asperger’s Support Group
Teen Social Group: ages 13-18 with high-functioning autism/Asperger’s
Young Life Capernaum - branch of Young Life serving teens with special needs
Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas - social events and clubs for ages 5 & up with Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome Partnership of N. Texas - Teen Scene & Book Club (teens & adults with Down Syndrome)
Best Buddies - One-to-one friendships, employment and leadership development for teens & young adults
Self-Determination Group - empowering adults with special needs to advocate & live independently
Explorers Program - spiritual & leisure enrichment group for ages 13+
Club 321 - social club for adults with special needs
The Perfect Piece - one-on-one and group social outings
The Friendship Circle of Dallas - social outings for teens with special needs
ABA-based social skills groups:
Club Metro with Southlake Adaptive Rec - Weekly activities for ages 13+
North Texas SNAP - ages 17+
Book Club - 4th Tues. of the month from 6:30-8:30
Girls Night Out - 4th Tues. of the month from 6:30-8:30
J.O.B.S Club - 1st Tues. of the month from 6:30-8:30
Men's Club - 4th Fri. of the month from 6:30-8:30
NAA-NT Self-Advocacy Group - monthly, ages 18+
Self-Advocacy Society - monthly through Down Syndrome Partnership of N. TX, ages 18+
GIFT Ministry Game Day - every other Thursday from 10-12, ages 16+
Enabled Connections App - social skills groups to help teens with communication and social obstacles