WVU offers social support group to empower young and teen girls with autism

The Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders within the West Virginia University School of Medicine will be offering a social skills and self-care program for girls with autism and related developmental disabilities called Girls Night Out.

This program incorporates evidence-based strategies to teach and practice social and self-care skills within natural community settings and connects participants to peers without disabilities to create social opportunities and an opportunity to model social skills.

“These sessions don’t take place in a clinic or office, but rather out and about in community settings to help participants build confidence with social skills, learn about taking care of themselves and get real-time individualized support in relating to others,” said Molly Abitbol, M.S., CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the Division.

The sessions will be under the supervision of Abitbol, who has experience in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities.

The group this summer will be for high school aged girls 14 to 18.  Participants will meet once per week on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., with the first meeting taking place on June 27 and running through August 15.

The sessions are a Rite Care clinic funded opportunity provided at no cost for those in need of language and/or reading instruction.

To sign up for any camps or to get additional information, call the WVU Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic at 304-293-4241 or contact Melissa Dew.