3 Common Concerns About Social Skills Groups (and Why They’re Worth It for Your Teen’s Future)
Wondering if a social skills group is right for your teen?
If your child struggles with making and keeping friends, understanding social cues, or feeling confident in conversations, you may have considered a social skills group—but you probably have questions.
Will this actually help?
Do we even have time for this?
What if my teen doesn’t think they need it?
These are some of the most common concerns I hear from parents just like you. And I get it—you want to sign up for something that will make a real difference for your child. You want to know that your time, effort, and energy are worth it.
That’s why I want to address the three biggest concerns parents have about social skills groups—so you can confidently decide if a social skills group is right for your teen.
Why Social Skills Groups Matter
Many neurodivergent kids, teens, and young adults often struggle to “pick up” social skills on their own. Some kids naturally figure out social interactions over time, while others need more structured support. That’s where the PEERS® social skills group comes in—a research-backed program designed to teach neurodivergent teens practical, step-by-step tools for social success.
But I know that signing up for something like this is a big decision, so let’s walk through the three biggest concerns I hear from parents—and why they’re worth considering for your teen.
3 Common Concerns About Social Skills Groups (and Why They’re Worth It)
Concern #1: “We’re Already Too Busy” (But Here’s Why It’s Worth It)
I get it. Life is full. Your teen might already have a packed schedule with school, sports, and extracurriculars.
But if your teen struggles socially, this isn’t just another activity—it’s the foundation for everything else.
✅ School – Participating in group projects, class discussions, and working with others
✅ Extracurriculars – Connecting with teammates, classmates, and club members
✅ Friendships – Making and maintaining friendships outside of structured activities
✅ Future Jobs – Navigating interviews, collaborating with coworkers, and handling workplace conversations
Social skills impact every part of life. If your teen is struggling now, these challenges won’t just disappear as they get older. But when they have the tools to handle social situations with confidence, everything—from friendships to future opportunities—becomes easier.
Imagine this: Your teen loves their robotics club but struggles to join conversations with the other members. What happens? They attend every week but still feel like they don’t quite belong.
Now, imagine they’ve learned how to confidently start conversations, join group discussions, and make plans outside of club meetings. Suddenly, they’re not just attending—they’re connecting. That’s the power of learning social skills.
Concern #2: “The Location Is Too Far” (Is It Still Worth the Drive?)
I completely understand—adding another drive to your routine isn’t always easy. Life is busy, and your time is valuable.
Many parents try local social groups, only to find they’re too unstructured. They put kids in a room together without actually teaching them how to engage socially. Another common frustration with these types of social groups is the lack of parent support and communication. Most parents I work with share that they've tried other social skills groups, but were left feeling disappointed and had no idea what was being taught because there was no clear structure, or parent communication.
That’s why many families drive in from all over to join PEERS. A well-structured program that:
Matches kids with peers at a similar skill level
Provides guided practice opportunities
Includes parent support to reinforce skills at home
I know that deciding where to spend your time and energy as a parent is a big decision. If you’re weighing whether the distance is worth it, consider this:
A good social skills group isn’t just another activity—it’s a long-term investment in your child’s confidence, independence, and social success.
And if in-person isn’t an option, I highly recommend even searching for well-structured social skills groups offered virtually. If the instructor is experienced and the group is structured, virtual groups can be just as effective as in-person ones!
If your teen has struggled socially for a while, waiting another six months or a year won’t make social situations easier for them.
The investment of time now can mean a future where your teen feels confident, included, and socially prepared for life beyond school.
Concern #3: “My Teen Doesn’t Think They Need This” (How to Help Them See the Value)
"I see my child struggling socially, but they don’t think they have a problem."
This is one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents. Some teens don’t recognize their social struggles, while others assume friendships will just “happen” eventually.
Resistance is normal. And this goes for any social group out there, but for PEERS to work, kids must be willing to participate.
If your teen is hesitant, here’s what you can share with them:
✅ They won’t be the only one who feels this way. Many teens start PEERS feeling unsure—but they quickly realize they’re in a safe, structured space where everyone is learning together.
✅ This isn’t forced socialization. They aren’t here to “make new friends”—it’s a step-by-step program that teaches them exactly how to handle social situations in a way they can follow through with, if they want to.
✅ Many teens who thought they “didn’t need it” ended up having a great experience. They saw how much easier social situations felt once they had a clear approach.
One teen I worked with swore he “didn’t need” a social skills group. He thought friendships would “just happen.” But after just a few sessions, he started using what he learned—starting conversations, making plans, and feeling more included. Now, he says he wishes he had joined sooner.
We can’t force social skills, and I never want a teen to feel like this group is something they’re being “made” to do. You can always ask to set up a meeting for you and your child to talk with the program instructor to answer any questions you both may have. I am always happy to connect, answer questions, explain how PEERS is different, and help your child feel more comfortable with the group, if they’re open to it.
But if your teen isn’t ready, that’s okay.
What I often see is that as kids get older, they start to notice the gap more:
They see classmates making plans, but they’re not invited.
They want deeper friendships, but they don’t know how to make that happen.
They start to realize that social skills are needed not just for friendships, but for school, group projects, and eventually, jobs.
Even if PEERS or a well-structured social skills group isn’t the right fit right now, the door is always open when they are ready.
Making the Best Choice for Your Teen
Asking questions is so important for finding the right fit.
I also want you to think about this:
If they don’t get the right support, will your teen feel more comfortable and capable in social situations?
Or will they still be struggling, waiting for friendships to happen, and wondering why connecting with others feels so hard?
This is why PEERS exists and why I personally am so excited to support as many families as I can with this social skills program. So that we can give teens the tools they need to build real friendships, navigate social situations, and feel confident in everyday interactions.
Because these are skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
Next Steps: Help Your Teen Build Social Confidence
If you’ve been wondering whether a social skills group is right for your teen, now is the time to take the next step.
📌 Fast Facts About (the right) Social Skills Groups
✔ Help teens learn & practice social skills in real-life situations
✔ Teach practical tools and strategies for understanding how to make & keep friends
✔ Provide structured, step-by-step support (not forced socialization)
Ready to give your teen the tools to make real friendships and feel confident in social situations? Click HERE to learn more about my PEERS® social skills program and take the next step toward giving your child the social confidence they deserve.
If you still have any lingering concerns or questions, I’m always happy to connect and help! 😊