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Building Social Skills is Fun

Feb 24, 2026

Today, the people enrolled in the Social Skills Program through People Inc. are discussing the topic of “mindfulness.” How can you recognize when you feel a negative emotion and what can you do to manage it?

To practice, they’re playing a game. Each person gathered around a table rolls a dice printed with different types of emotions. When the dice lands on “anger,” the group talks through what that feeling can look like and what someone could do in the moment to handle it.

After a thoughtful discussion, including ideas like deep breathing and communicating feelings, it’s time to play games with friends, making sure each person appropriately takes turns and is having fun. The session ends with laughter, hugs, and waves goodbye.

This is a snapshot into the Social Skills Program, a program for Autistic children and young adults who meet two times a month in a small group setting in Amherst, NY to address a variety of social skills and form meaningful connections.

Supporting Children and Teens with Autism in Amherst and Buffalo, NY

“A lot of our people in this program struggle with socializing,” said Elizabeth Assad-Penner, director of family advocacy training and support. “This gives them a chance to interact with kids their own age and hopefully build friendships they can carry into school and the community.”

The program supports two groups, an elementary group for people aged six to 12 and an adolescent group for people aged 13 to 21

The program focuses on building key social skills that many autistic people have challenges with, including:

  • Maintaining conversations
  • Making eye contact
  • Taking turns
  • Demonstrating good manners
  • Recognizing and managing emotions

“I love this program and so does Patrick. He loves being around the other kids,” said Kelly Jones, whose son attends the program. When he has the choice between social skills group and other extracurricular activities, he picks attending the group.

“He’s able to take what he learns here and apply it outside. We do little sessions at home to practice, and he pretends to be the social skills teacher. I think it’s made him more confident and happier,” she said.

Participants must be between ages six to 21 and reside with a family member to be eligible.

Interested in joining the group?

Families searching for:

  • Autism programs in Amherst, NY
  • Social skills groups near Buffalo, NY
  • Autism support services for children and teens

can learn more through People Inc.’s Community Based & Family Support Services.