This ongoing weekly group aims to help young adults develop social skills needed to be successful within academic, social, work and family settings. Groups are psycho-educational by teaching social skills and coping techniques for young adults with ASD, ADHD, social difficulties, Asperger's, anxiety, LD's, and behavioral challenges. Participants learn skills and practice them in this safe, nonjudgmental virtual therapy environment. The group is open enrollment, as the group is ongoing. **The group also plans FUN SOCIAL OUTINGS to movies, amusement parks and gaming venues to encourage socialization outside of group!**
This ongoing weekly group aims to help young adults develop social skills needed to be successful within academic, social, work and family settings. Groups are psycho-educational by teaching social skills and coping techniques for young adults with ASD, ADHD, social difficulties, Asperger's, anxiety, LD's, and behavioral challenges. Participants learn skills and practice them in this safe, nonjudgmental virtual therapy environment. The group is open enrollment, as the group is ongoing. **The group also plans FUN SOCIAL OUTINGS to movies, amusement parks and gaming venues to encourage socialization outside of group!**
T.I.P.S. is for adolescents with peer difficulties. Teens show signs and symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Asperger's, Social Disorders, including Mild- Autism and other social worries. This includes extreme shyness, as well as difficulties in understanding social-cues, developing lasting friendships, being part of a team, or even just hanging out! Through games, discussions, videos, and activities, our teens make friends, understand gestures, read body language, deal with bullies, make conversation, and learn how to tackle teen dilemmas. Group leaders are seasoned in social skills training.
Hosted by Arlington Psychological Services
Psychologist, PsyD
Group meets in Arlington Heights, IL 60004
T.I.P.S. is for adolescents with peer difficulties. Teens show signs and symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Asperger's, Social Disorders, including Mild- Autism and other social worries. This includes extreme shyness, as well as difficulties in understanding social-cues, developing lasting friendships, being part of a team, or even just hanging out! Through games, discussions, videos, and activities, our teens make friends, understand gestures, read body language, deal with bullies, make conversation, and learn how to tackle teen dilemmas. Group leaders are seasoned in social skills training.
Our group is ideal for adults experiencing emotional unsteadiness, distressing thoughts, low self-esteem/worth, and challenging behaviors. We have expertise in areas such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship and communication concerns, and difficulty adjusting to transitions. We provides a safe space for clients within the BIPOC, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ communities. We utilize the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help reduce the struggle with challenging thoughts and feelings, bring clarity to one's values, and commit to actions that align to one’s values.
Hosted by Ginny Nikiforos LCSW, ADHD, ASD Certified Provider
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ADHD-CC, ASDCS
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60618
Our group is ideal for adults experiencing emotional unsteadiness, distressing thoughts, low self-esteem/worth, and challenging behaviors. We have expertise in areas such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship and communication concerns, and difficulty adjusting to transitions. We provides a safe space for clients within the BIPOC, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ communities. We utilize the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help reduce the struggle with challenging thoughts and feelings, bring clarity to one's values, and commit to actions that align to one’s values.
This group exists for individuals, age 18+, who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 and would like to connect with a community that can relate and provide a sense of belonging. It is a chance to unmask and be your authentic self while processing difficult experiences and learning about various concepts that relate to ASD. There is rolling admission and members are welcoming to everyone that joins, regardless of the time frame. It is biweekly and affordable, as unemployment and underemployment should not be a barrier to healing and belonging.
My clinical specialties are Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1, PANS/ PANDAS, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and ADHD.
This group exists for individuals, age 18+, who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1 and would like to connect with a community that can relate and provide a sense of belonging. It is a chance to unmask and be your authentic self while processing difficult experiences and learning about various concepts that relate to ASD. There is rolling admission and members are welcoming to everyone that joins, regardless of the time frame. It is biweekly and affordable, as unemployment and underemployment should not be a barrier to healing and belonging.
A facilitator guides 4-6 clients through a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to develop social skills.
Hosted by Linda Hadlock
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CFSW
Group meets in Crystal Lake, IL 60014
A facilitator guides 4-6 clients through a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to develop social skills.
At SociAbility, our mission is to help children, young adults, and adults gain necessary life-long social skills to succeed in school, adulthood and beyond.
At SociAbility, our mission is to help children, young adults, and adults gain necessary life-long social skills to succeed in school, adulthood and beyond.
The foundation of our social skills group is to 'meet & greet' each individual child at their own unique social and developmental level. Interventions are play based and focus on regulation, shared attention, social collaborations, flexibility, and pragmatic social language skills.
Hosted by Jessica K Paganis
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Group meets in Burr Ridge, IL 60527
The foundation of our social skills group is to 'meet & greet' each individual child at their own unique social and developmental level. Interventions are play based and focus on regulation, shared attention, social collaborations, flexibility, and pragmatic social language skills.
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting autistic children, teens, and adults and their families. Therapy services are offered via telehealth to clients in Illinois and in-person at our Evanston, IL location.
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting autistic children, teens, and adults and their families. Therapy services are offered via telehealth to clients in Illinois and in-person at our Evanston, IL location.
This group helps young adults on the Autism Spectrum understand who they are and how they fit into the world around them. Participants are taught personal and social skills to enhance their ability to take care of themselves. Sessions also include helpful tips and strategies to encourage academic success for college students, job skills and job coaching, and positive relationship building at home, school, and in the community. The group also empowers the participants to take a deep look at themselves to help them to strive to live up to their fullest potential.
Hosted by Partners For Inner Healing
Counselor, MS, LCPC, NCC, CCJTS
Group meets in Rockford, IL 61108
This group helps young adults on the Autism Spectrum understand who they are and how they fit into the world around them. Participants are taught personal and social skills to enhance their ability to take care of themselves. Sessions also include helpful tips and strategies to encourage academic success for college students, job skills and job coaching, and positive relationship building at home, school, and in the community. The group also empowers the participants to take a deep look at themselves to help them to strive to live up to their fullest potential.
An online processing group for autistic adults in the queer community. Must be in Illinois to participate. Group is currently forming and has not started until we have at least 3 members. Share your what's on your mind or just listen to the experiences of others while receiving peer and professional support. While skills may be presented, this is a non-curriculum group. If you would like this to be billed to insurance, you must attend an individual intake session. All others: a complementary consultation call (15 mins) is required.
An online processing group for autistic adults in the queer community. Must be in Illinois to participate. Group is currently forming and has not started until we have at least 3 members. Share your what's on your mind or just listen to the experiences of others while receiving peer and professional support. While skills may be presented, this is a non-curriculum group. If you would like this to be billed to insurance, you must attend an individual intake session. All others: a complementary consultation call (15 mins) is required.
Marvelous Minds is offering a girls social skills group that will focus on friendship skills, problem solving, social anxiety, screen time alternatives, self esteem, executive functioning and emotional regulation. The group will run for 6 weeks starting on Wednesday 1/14 and end 2/18. The group will run from 5:30-6:30pm. The price is $300/per child. Starting: January 14th, 2026 When: Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM Who: Girls ages 8 to 10 years old.
Hosted by Maria Allan
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, NCC, LPC
Group meets in Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Marvelous Minds is offering a girls social skills group that will focus on friendship skills, problem solving, social anxiety, screen time alternatives, self esteem, executive functioning and emotional regulation. The group will run for 6 weeks starting on Wednesday 1/14 and end 2/18. The group will run from 5:30-6:30pm. The price is $300/per child. Starting: January 14th, 2026 When: Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM Who: Girls ages 8 to 10 years old.
Many neurodivergent women, nonbinary, and trans folks feel their experience with neurodivergence deeply impacted by their experiences being raised in a gendered world. Whether that be from gender-based discrimination, lack of support due to gender norms, later-in-life diagnosis, or sensory issues related to menstruation, menopause, and other hormonal fluxes, these are alienating experiences for folks at this crossroads of marginalization. We are offering a therapeutic and safe space to explore this nuanced experience with gender and neurodivergence, where we will offer a combination of therapeutic interventions and a safe community space for processing and connection.
Many neurodivergent women, nonbinary, and trans folks feel their experience with neurodivergence deeply impacted by their experiences being raised in a gendered world. Whether that be from gender-based discrimination, lack of support due to gender norms, later-in-life diagnosis, or sensory issues related to menstruation, menopause, and other hormonal fluxes, these are alienating experiences for folks at this crossroads of marginalization. We are offering a therapeutic and safe space to explore this nuanced experience with gender and neurodivergence, where we will offer a combination of therapeutic interventions and a safe community space for processing and connection.
The Heroes' Guild is 8-week social learning and support group for teens that utilizes role-playing games (primarily Dungeons and Dragons) for therapeutic purposes. The game master is a trained mental health professional. Members will create their own character to play as during the game. As their characters, players embark on a collaborative storytelling journey through which they will improve social skills, find peer support, engage in mental health discussions, and just have a great time with other people. Members will be placed in groups based on their identified presenting issue. Closed group. Neurodiversity- and LGBTQIA-Affirming.
Hosted by Spencer P Carrol
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Group meets in Lake Forest, IL 60045
The Heroes' Guild is 8-week social learning and support group for teens that utilizes role-playing games (primarily Dungeons and Dragons) for therapeutic purposes. The game master is a trained mental health professional. Members will create their own character to play as during the game. As their characters, players embark on a collaborative storytelling journey through which they will improve social skills, find peer support, engage in mental health discussions, and just have a great time with other people. Members will be placed in groups based on their identified presenting issue. Closed group. Neurodiversity- and LGBTQIA-Affirming.
We are a psychiatry and counseling private practice located in Naperville and easily accessible by many surrounding suburbs (Aurora, Plainfield, Oswego, Lisle, Warrenville etc). Our highly trained Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrists and Physician Assistants are here to help you with Psychiatric Evaluations and Medication Management. Our psychologist provides psychological testing and assessment for all your needs. Our talented team of therapists and psychologist (PsyD, LCSW, LCPC, LPC) are here to help you with all your therapy needs. Take a look at our website for more information and do not hesitate to give us a call.
We are a psychiatry and counseling private practice located in Naperville and easily accessible by many surrounding suburbs (Aurora, Plainfield, Oswego, Lisle, Warrenville etc). Our highly trained Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrists and Physician Assistants are here to help you with Psychiatric Evaluations and Medication Management. Our psychologist provides psychological testing and assessment for all your needs. Our talented team of therapists and psychologist (PsyD, LCSW, LCPC, LPC) are here to help you with all your therapy needs. Take a look at our website for more information and do not hesitate to give us a call.
This Neurospicy Support Group is a virtual therapy group for adults who identify as neurodivergent or are exploring neurodiversity, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and related experiences. The group offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space to connect with others who understand the challenges of masking, burnout, sensory overwhelm, and feeling “different.” Sessions focus on self-understanding, emotional support, and embracing neurodivergent strengths rather than pathologizing differences. This group is ideal for adults seeking community, validation, and growth in a space that honors neurodiversity as a natural and valuable variation of human experience. Co-Facilitated with Elizabeth Schaefer Counselor, LCPC, CADC.
This Neurospicy Support Group is a virtual therapy group for adults who identify as neurodivergent or are exploring neurodiversity, including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and related experiences. The group offers a supportive, nonjudgmental space to connect with others who understand the challenges of masking, burnout, sensory overwhelm, and feeling “different.” Sessions focus on self-understanding, emotional support, and embracing neurodivergent strengths rather than pathologizing differences. This group is ideal for adults seeking community, validation, and growth in a space that honors neurodiversity as a natural and valuable variation of human experience. Co-Facilitated with Elizabeth Schaefer Counselor, LCPC, CADC.
Children's Advocate Social skills groups are small groups (typically two to ten participants) led by an adult who teaches & counsels the kids how to interact appropriately with others. They can also be useful in teaching kids to control their emotions, trauma focused and understand other people's perspectives.
Children's Advocate Social skills groups are small groups (typically two to ten participants) led by an adult who teaches & counsels the kids how to interact appropriately with others. They can also be useful in teaching kids to control their emotions, trauma focused and understand other people's perspectives.
Living in a world that isn’t designed for Autistic minds can be challenging. This group offers a supportive space for Autistic individuals to explore their unique experiences, celebrate their strengths, and connect with others who just get it. If this sounds like it would be a good fit for you, please reach out to discuss the group and sign up!
Hosted by Sarah E. Spurling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Group meets in Springfield, IL 62704
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specialized training in Trauma-Informed Care, Anti-Oppressive Practice, and Autism.
Living in a world that isn’t designed for Autistic minds can be challenging. This group offers a supportive space for Autistic individuals to explore their unique experiences, celebrate their strengths, and connect with others who just get it. If this sounds like it would be a good fit for you, please reach out to discuss the group and sign up!
A gently guided meetup for caregivers of neurodiverse children to connect, receive meaningful support, share resources & collaborate in advocating for a neuroaffirming community co-hosted by Dallis Luna, LPC and Sonia Gomez, LCSW. BYOB: Come as you are, order your favorite beverage, & enjoy a relaxed space to connect with other caregivers. Our next group will be July 2, 2026 at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at New Sound Cafe. We look forward to seeing you there.
A gently guided meetup for caregivers of neurodiverse children to connect, receive meaningful support, share resources & collaborate in advocating for a neuroaffirming community co-hosted by Dallis Luna, LPC and Sonia Gomez, LCSW. BYOB: Come as you are, order your favorite beverage, & enjoy a relaxed space to connect with other caregivers. Our next group will be July 2, 2026 at 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at New Sound Cafe. We look forward to seeing you there.
We provide social skills training groups for children and adolescents using research based methods. We focus on real life experiences with peers that are facilitated by a trained therapist. These groups are helpful for children with anxiety, depression, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
We provide social skills training groups for children and adolescents using research based methods. We focus on real life experiences with peers that are facilitated by a trained therapist. These groups are helpful for children with anxiety, depression, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Therapy is an essential service that addresses the emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of young individuals. These services may include various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy, and craft therapy, tailored to suit the unique experiences and challenges faced by children and teens. Through a supportive and emotionally safe environment, therapists help young clients develop coping skills, teach emotional regulation, and improve interpersonal relationships.
Therapy is an essential service that addresses the emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of young individuals. These services may include various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy, and craft therapy, tailored to suit the unique experiences and challenges faced by children and teens. Through a supportive and emotionally safe environment, therapists help young clients develop coping skills, teach emotional regulation, and improve interpersonal relationships.
See more therapy options for Illinois
Autism Support Groups
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.