Early Support to Strengthen Social Skills for Children

At Solongo Early Intervention, we recognise the importance of social skills for children in helping them succeed in everyday life, whether in the playground or the classroom. Our evidence-based early childhood intervention services help children build confidence, improve communication, and form meaningful relationships with their peers.

Why Social Skills Matter

Strong social skills lay the foundation for emotional well-being, school success, and lifelong friendships. Many children, especially those with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays, need explicit support to develop these vital skills. Our early intervention therapists and ESDM-certified practitioners are here to help your child learn how to connect, share, take turns, and express their emotions in healthy, effective ways.

Join Our Social Skills Group (Ages 3 to 12)

At Solongo Early Intervention, we run structured social skills groups that are thoughtfully grouped by age. This means your child is supported in a way that makes sense for their stage of development, with activities, goals, and guidance tailored to where they’re at socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

Our groups are divided into three age ranges, allowing us to focus on the specific skills and challenges that tend to emerge during each stage of childhood:

Ages 3–5

Children explore early social concepts like parallel play, turn-taking, sharing, and recognising simple social cues, all through fun, play-based learning.

Ages 6–9

The focus shifts to building peer relationships, working in groups, developing emotional awareness, and learning to think flexibly through structured games and guided activities.

Ages 9–12

Older children strengthen conversation skills, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking while learning to navigate more nuanced social situations and problem-solving with peers.

Practical Social Skills Support for Melbourne Families

If you're searching for expert help with social skills for children or would like to enrol your child in an age-appropriate social skills group, we’re here to help. Our programs are available throughout Melbourne and are facilitated by experienced, neuro-affirming early intervention professionals.

Facilitated by a Team of Specialists

All social skills groups for children are facilitated by highly qualified professionals, including:

Certified ESDM Therapists
Certified Behaviour Therapists
Early Intervention Therapists
Psychologists
Registered Developmental Educator

Our ESDM certified therapists bring together expertise from different areas to ensure your child receives well-rounded, personalised support. Everything we do is grounded in current research and proven strategies that support learning, behaviour, and development.

A Collaborative and Family-Centred Approach

Our team works in close partnership with families through early intervention parent coaching, helping you apply practical strategies at home and in the community. Each program aligns with NDIS goals and offers consistent feedback to caregivers.

Enrol Today to Support Your Child’s Social Growth

If you're looking for trusted, evidence-based support to build social skills for children, or you’d like to enrol your child in a social skills group in Melbourne, contact Solongo Early Intervention today. Let’s work together to support your child’s social confidence and development with a personalised positive behaviour support plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who benefits from a social skills group?

Children who find social situations challenging (including those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, developmental delays, or language difficulties) often benefit greatly from a social skills group. But any child who struggles with making friends, reading social cues, or joining group activities can gain useful tools and feel more confident through a well-structured group setting.

2. How big are the social skills groups?

Groups are kept small to ensure every child receives individual attention and support. Most groups include 3 to 6 children, allowing the therapist to tailor activities, provide in-the-moment coaching, and create a low-pressure environment where children feel comfortable engaging and practising new skills.

3. What do children actually do in a social skills session?

Children take part in structured and play-based activities that are designed to encourage social interaction. These might include role-play, games, group discussions, and storytelling. Therapists model behaviours, provide coaching, and use visual supports to help children understand and practise skills like turn-taking, problem-solving, and expressing emotions appropriately.

4. Is social skills group therapy covered by the NDIS?

Yes. Social skills groups are often funded under the NDIS category ‘Improved Relationships’ or ‘Capacity Building – Social and Community Participation.’ If your child has an NDIS plan, we can help you understand what’s covered and assist with the necessary documentation or coordination to access support.

5. Does my child need a diagnosis to join a social skills group?

No formal diagnosis is required. If your child is having difficulty making friends, joining group activities, or managing emotions in social situations, they may benefit from joining a social support group. We assess each child’s needs individually to make sure they’re placed in the right environment.