Social Skills Development

Helping your child make a friend

Almost every parent hopes their child will have a friend who lights up when they walk in. That’s what this is really about. We practice the building blocks of friendship (taking turns, joining a game, noticing when someone is happy or upset) inside play your child actually enjoys, at home and out in the community. Connection looks different for every kid, so we build it around who your child is.

In plain terms, social skills work is ABA that helps your child connect with the people around them: sharing, reading faces and tone, starting and holding a conversation, and joining group play. ABA is an evidence-based approach to autism support, described by the CDC and overseen by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. We’re neurodiversity-affirming, so the goal is never to mask who your child is. It’s to give them more tools to share their world and feel understood.

Is this a fit for your family?

This is for anyone working toward stronger connections, ages 2 to 65. That might be a toddler learning to play alongside a sibling, a school-age child navigating recess, a teen working through group conversations, or an adult building confidence at work. Most providers stop at kids. We support every stage, because connection matters at every age.

If you’re in St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, or Cedar City and social moments feel hard for your loved one, this is built for you. An autism diagnosis and active insurance coverage are required to begin.

What to expect

Care happens in your home and community, not a clinic across town. A Registered Behavior Technician works directly with your child on individualized goals, guided by a plan from our BCBA. Because we teach social skills in real settings (the living room, the park, a birthday party, the store), the skills are more likely to stick and carry into everyday life.

Sessions are play-based and warm. We follow your child’s interests, celebrate small wins, and adjust as we go based on the data we collect. You’re part of every step, and we coach families so progress continues long after a session ends.

What changes at home

Social skills work can open the door to friendships, smoother family moments, and more independence. Depending on your child’s goals, families often work toward things like:

1. Joining and sharing play with peers and siblings
2. Starting, continuing, and ending conversations
3. Recognizing and responding to others’ feelings and cues
4. Handling transitions and group settings with less stress
5. Building the confidence to participate at school, work, and in the community

What we work toward together

Maybe your hope is a friend who lights up when your child walks in, or a birthday party the whole family can enjoy. Those are the kinds of goals we set together and work toward, at your child’s own pace. You won’t be figuring it out alone.

“Jackson is not only an AMAZING therapist, but my son’s best friend. My son is 3 years old and non-verbal. The team makes it fun. They treat him as an individual and make an individualized treatment plan that works for him. My son has fun, learns, and we all participate in the plan. If you’re struggling to find the right therapy for your kid, you won’t be disappointed.”

Parent of a 3-year-old client, Google review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Every child is different, so we’ll never promise a cure or a fixed outcome. What we do promise is a plan built around your child and honest updates on real progress.

Why families choose Ryse

When you’re worried about your child, months of waiting feels impossible, so we open the door right away across Washington and Iron County.

• No waitlist. Many families start the same week, so precious time isn’t lost.
• We verify your insurance for you. A free benefits check removes the guesswork before you commit.
• BCBA-led care. Every plan is built and overseen by our Clinical Director, Noah Rasmussen, BCBA.
• In your home, in your community. Care is built around your family and your real-life routines.

When we Ryse together, we achieve more.

Ready to start?

If your loved one is working toward stronger friendships and connection, we’re ready when you are. BCBA-led, and built around your family in Southern Utah.

Call us at (385) 549-5656 to see what your plan covers. An autism diagnosis and active coverage are required to begin care.

Clinically reviewed by Noah Rasmussen, BCBA, Clinical Director, Ryse ABA Therapy.