A Service of
Community Living Toronto

Group Skill-Building Programs

Small, supportive groups where people learn and practice skills for everyday life, from managing stress to making friends.

Overview

Our group programs are for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to build confidence, coping strategies, and social connections. Groups are small and led by trained facilitators, using well-research programs adapted to how participants learn, with plenty of practice for everyday life.

Our Programs

Coping Skills Group

A structured program that helps adults develop practical strategies for managing stress, navigating difficult emotions, and responding to challenging situations.

Learn more

Social Skills Group

A structured social skills intervention for teens with autism ages 13–17 who want to build and strengthen friendships, improve communication skills, and increase confidence in social situations.

Learn more

Coping Skills Group

The Coping Skills Group is a structured program that helps adults develop practical strategies for managing stress, navigating difficult emotions, and responding to challenging situations.

Who Can Participate?

The Coping Skills Group may be a good fit for adults with intellectual and development disabilities who:

  • Have a desire to build coping skills and increase confidence in managing everyday challenges
  • Participate independently or with minimal support in community, social, education, or employment settings
  • Have trouble managing emotions, stress, or interpersonal relationships
  • Would benefit from learning practical strategies to navigate situations such as: Excessive worry or anxiety, Anger or emotional dysregulation, Substance use concerns, Legal or justice system involvement, Social or relationship challenges

What Participants Learn

Participants learn and practice skills in four key areas:

Mindfulness:

Building awareness of thoughts, feelings, and the present moment

Distress tolerance:

Managing difficult situations and emotional crises effectively

Emotion regulation:

Understanding and responding to emotions in a healthy way

Interpersonal effectiveness:

Communicating needs, setting boundaries, and building positive relationships

Program Details

  • Twenty in-person group sessions
  • Small group format led by a qualified facilitator and co-facilitator
  • Interactive activities, discussion, and opportunities to practice new skills
  • Take-home strategies and exercises to support skill development between sessions
  • Participation from support staff, family members, or caregivers is encouraged to help reinforce skills in everyday life

Social Skills Group

The Social Skills Group helps teens with Autism ages 13–17 who want to build and strengthen friendships, improve communication skills, and increase confidence in social situations. The program uses the PEERS® curriculum, one of the most widely researched evidence-based social skills programs for adolescents, adapted to support meaningful skill development and practice in everyday life.

Who Can Benefit:

The Social Skills Group may be a good fit for teens who:

  • Are ages 13–17 with autism
  • Are interested in developing friendships and improving social confidence
  • Would benefit from explicit instruction and practice in social communication and relationship-building skills

What Participants learn

Participants learn practical skills related to:

  • Starting and maintaining conversations
  • Making and keeping friends
  • Using humour appropriately and finding common interests
  • Managing conflict, teasing, and difficult social situations
  • Navigating group activities and social gatherings
  • Appropriate use of electronic and social communication
  • Building confidence in social interactions

Program Details

  • 16 weekly 90-minute sessions
  • Small group format of 6–8, led by by a PEERS®-certified Registered Behaviour Analyst
  • Opportunities for discussion, role-play, and real-world practice
  • Caregiver participation component to support skill development and generalization outside of group sessions.

Benefits

Participants in BridgeWorks Group Skill-Building Programs can:

Practical Skills

Develop practical skills that can be applied in everyday situations

Confidence

Build confidence in social interactions, relationships, and community participation

Peer Connection

Connect with peers in a supportive and welcoming environment

Guided Practice

Practice new skills with guidance, feedback, and encourage­ment

Interested in Group Program?

Interested in a Group Program?

Schedule a call
Explore pricing