Social Groups

Affirming Social Groups for Children and Teens

At Embracing Autism Services, our social groups are designed around one core belief:
meaningful social learning grows out of genuine connection, not rote instruction.

Rather than teaching scripted “social skills,” we thoughtfully curate groups where children are motivated to engage, collaborate, and build real relationships—with all the joy, challenge, and growth that comes along with friendship.

Group Structure

  • Groups meet once per week for 75 minutes

  • Each group includes 3–5 peers

  • Groups are supported by 1–2 experienced facilitators

  • Groups are formed based on age, shared interests, temperament, and relational style

This small, intentional structure allows us to deeply support regulation, connection, and social engagement in ways that are responsive and individualized.

Group Details

  • Length: 75 minutes

  • Cost: $120 per session

  • Schedule: Groups run Monday–Thursday

  • Funding: EACS is a Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB) vendor and offers financial aid for eligible families

Onboarding Process

  1. Complete the online application

  2. Our team will review your submission and let you know if there are groups available in your child’s age range.

    If no groups are available, we will offer a waitlist space until a group is available.

    If space is available, we will schedule an intake call.

  3. If the group seems to be a match for your child, we will schedule a meet and greet.

Finally, your child will participate in a trial group to confirm the group is the right match for everyone.

From there, a contract will be established and services will commence.

Social Group Info

  • EACS social groups run Monday - Thursday between 3:30 - 6:15pm. Usually younger children are placed in the earlier group and older children are placed in the later group. This may vary.

  • We offer groups at 3:30pm and groups at 5:00pm (spaces are limited)

  • The groups run for 75 minutes.

  • The social groups run year round, including during summer. We are closed for major federal holidays.

  • EACS are vendors with the Regional Center of the East Bay for our social groups only (this excludes one on one sessions, speech therapy and psychotherapy).

  • If you wish for RCEB to pay for EACS social groups, please contact your RCEB case manager. All clients are private pay until a contract has been established between RCEB and EACS.