Social Skills Programs

“Finding a group of kids who share similar challenges is rare. Finding one led by highly capable, compassionate special needs educators who truly understand how to scaffold social growth? That’s a gem.

We are beyond grateful for this opportunity. Our son is happier, more confident, and genuinely excited about friendships. I cannot recommend this program highly enough.”

— Jess, Mom of a LEGO Connections superstar

Current Social Skills Programs

LEGO Connections

Building skills one brick at a time!

LEGO Connections is a fun filled group that fosters communication and improved social skills through play based learning. Participants won’t even realize all of the skills they are gaining as they venture through structured and free build activities. They will be members of a small group with other builders around their age that allow a safe place to engage, resolve conflict, and find common interests. Based on an evidence-informed program, Ascent brings LEGO Connections to our area.

LEGO Robotics Social Skills Club

Building Robots and Relationships

By partnering with Centreville Robotics team, we are able to bring a LEGO robotics program that incorporates LEGO building, coding, and tackling specific tasks all while growing socially. Through the use of explicit teaching, natural social interactions, and the need to communicate in order to complete the project, our team of group leaders will help your child learn and fine tune their social skills. This group is aimed at children in 3rd-10th grade, but please reach out if you feel your child would benefit and they are outside of this range.

The Art of Friendship

Connecting over Crafts

The Art of Friendship social skills group is geared towards girls between ages 6-13. While the group uses their creativity to venture through the art process, they will also learn social skills to improve their relationships. We will have weekly projects that aim to stretch their creative and social abilities within a safe space for girls to open up and grow.

Friendship Explorers

Navigating Friendship Skills as the Journey Begins

Our Friendship Explorers social skills group is geared towards children who are in the transition to school age (3-6). Through explicit instruction, modeling, teachable moments, and feedback, our leaders help shape the social skills of our youngest. Kids will travel through different “lands” and receive stamps in their friendship passport as they conquer new skills, such as turn taking, active listening, resilience, solving problems, and more!

Beyond the Board

Building skills, one turn at a time!

Beyond the Board is a fun and engaging social skills group that uses board games to help children practice real-world communication skills in a low-pressure, playful setting. Each session targets key social skills—such as teamwork, flexible thinking, turn-taking, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and good sportsmanship—while kids explore a variety of games they already love. Through guided play, structured discussions, and supportive coaching, participants build confidence, friendships, and the tools they need to thrive both in and out of the game.

Snap Social

Building Connections One Circuit at a Time

Snap Social is a hands-on social skills group where science, engineering, and collaboration come together to create meaningful peer interaction. Using Snap Circuits as the shared, high-interest activity, participants work in pairs and small teams to plan, problem-solve, take turns, and communicate as they design and build exciting projects. Guided by a trained educator, each session intentionally targets skills such as flexible thinking, cooperative teamwork, self-advocacy, and reciprocal conversation in a natural, motivating environment. By combining STEM exploration with structured social support, Snap Social helps children strengthen both their confidence and their connections.

Current Offerings

We currently have open registration for the following programs:

(The images are hyperlinked to the corresponding registration pages.)

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Clifton Location

Starting April 2026

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Burke Location

Starting March 2026

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Ashburn Location

Starting March 2026

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FAQs

  • Our programs are open to both neurotypical and neurodiverse clients between the ages of 4 and 14. Some programs have specific age requirements. Our social skills groups are appropriate for children with Autism Level I, ADHD, Anxiety, and other social/communication disorders. If you are unsure whether the program would be the right fit for your child, reach out for a intake call and we can discuss your needs.

  • An essential part of our mission is to ensure groupings are purposeful and based on information we gather through your registration process. Therefore, once we close registration, we form groups based on age, interests, communication level, and temperament. If we do not have an appropriate group for your child, we will reach out to inform you that best practices will be to wait for another session. Our goal is to ensure your child has a peer group that fosters their growth and the growth of those around them.

  • We are able to welcome students who require specialized programming for behavior. However, we are not staffed to have the level of support needed for students who have physically intense behaviors. If your child may exhibit these behaviors, please reach out to see what program may work for them.

    Our policy states that any physicality (hitting, kicking, biting, etc) toward another participant or staff will result in the participant not continuing with current groupings. We will work with you to find a more appropriate group.

    It is our top priority that clients are in a safe environment that allows them to take risks and grow.

  • Most of our programs rotate through a 6 week cycle, allowing flexibility for families. We have an average of 71% of families that return for another session after their first.

    We will open registration a few weeks before the upcoming session.

  • No; our social skills groups are all private pay and are not submitted to insurance. Some families are able to use FSA funds. We also offer Kindness Grants for families who require financial assistance. Please reach out if you would like to learn more.