Social Skills Development for Kids in Cherry Hill & South Jersey
Social skills taught step by step with ABA, then practiced with real peers and family, so your child can play, talk and connect with more confidence.
Social skills development at Innovative ABA uses Applied Behavior Analysis to teach children with autism how to play, take turns, start conversations and build friendships. A BCBA designs the goals, and children practice one-on-one and with peers at our Cherry Hill center or in the community. Call (732) 691-1299 for a free consultation.
Clinically reviewed by Charles Knoppel, BCBA · Updated October 2026
At a glance
| Where | Cherry Hill center, home & community |
|---|---|
| Center | 1939 NJ-70, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003 |
| Ages | Toddlers through school age |
| Insurance | Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare + most major plans; free benefits check |
| Clinical lead | Charles Knoppel, BCBA, Clinical Director |
What is social skills development in ABA?
Social skills are the small, fast, mostly unwritten rules people use to connect: looking toward someone who is talking, taking turns, joining a game, sharing interests, reading a facial expression, knowing when a conversation is over. Many children on the autism spectrum want friends but find these rules confusing. Applied Behavior Analysis breaks them into teachable steps.
In our program, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) assesses your child's current social skills and writes clear, measurable goals. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) teaches those skills one-on-one first, then helps your child practice them with peers, siblings and adults. Data is recorded every session, so progress is visible and the plan changes when it needs to.
Social skills are not about making a child act like everyone else. The goal is to give your child tools to connect in ways that work for them.
Social skills teaching always starts with what your child already does well. A child who loves trains might practice joining play by building a track with a peer. A child who loves facts might practice asking questions about a friend's interests. Building on strengths makes practice more motivating and more natural.
- Play skillsparallel play, joining a game, sharing toys and pretend play.
- Conversationgreetings, asking and answering questions, staying on topic.
- Emotionsnaming feelings, reading others' cues and calming strategies.
- Flexibilityhandling losing, changes in plans and other people's ideas.
Which children benefit from social skills training?
Social skills goals fit many children with autism spectrum disorder, from toddlers learning to notice and copy other children to school-age kids working on conversation and friendships. Signs your child may benefit include playing mostly alone even when they seem to want company, trouble joining games, frequent conflicts with peers, talking at length about one topic, difficulty with losing or turn-taking, and struggles at recess or lunch.
For very young children, social goals are usually part of early intervention ABA, focused on joint attention, imitation and play. For older children, social skills are often a main focus once communication is in place, and they connect closely to classroom success.
Social goals also support safety and independence as children grow: knowing who to ask for help, understanding personal space, recognizing when someone is joking and being able to say no. Your BCBA will choose goals that match your child's age and the situations they face most often.
Some children also have anxiety around social situations. Your BCBA can build in gradual, low-pressure practice so your child feels safe trying new things, starting with familiar adults and moving toward peers as confidence grows. Pushing too fast rarely helps; steady, planned steps usually do.
How are social skills taught, step by step?
Every child's path is individualized, but most follow this sequence.
Reinforcement is central. When your child tries a new social skill, the therapist makes sure it pays off, through praise, a turn with a favorite toy or simply the fun of the game. Over time, the natural rewards of friendship and connection take over from therapist reinforcement.
- Assessyour BCBA observes your child in play and conversation, interviews you and measures current skills.
- Set goalsspecific, observable targets, such as asking a peer to play during free time.
- Teach one-on-oneskills are modeled, practiced with role-play and reinforced, using discrete trial training and natural environment teaching.
- Practice with peerssupported practice with other children at our Cherry Hill center or in community settings.
- Generalizepractice at home, at school and in new places, with new people.
- Coach parentsyou learn to set up and support successful play at home and on playdates.
Where does social skills practice happen?
Peer practice is one reason families choose our full-day center-based ABA program on Route 70 in Cherry Hill. In a center, children have natural, supported chances to play and talk with other children throughout the day, with a therapist ready to prompt and reinforce. Our center is near the Marlton (Evesham) line and practical for families across Camden and Burlington counties; see our Cherry Hill ABA page and Camden County ABA page.
Social skills are also practiced at home with siblings and family, and out in the world through school & community-based ABA, at places like playgrounds and libraries, and at school with district approval. Practicing in many settings is what helps a skill become your child's own.
If your child already receives in-home ABA therapy, siblings can be a great first peer group. Practicing with a brother or sister at home builds confidence before trying the same skills with less familiar children.
How does social skills development fit with parent training and insurance?
Parents play a big role in social growth. Through parent training & support, your BCBA shows you how to set up playdates that are likely to go well, prompt your child during family activities and praise the small social wins that are easy to miss. We can also share social goals with your child's school team when you want us to.
Social skills goals are usually part of a full ABA treatment plan, which many insurance plans cover when medically necessary. New Jersey's autism mandate and Pennsylvania's Act 62 require many plans to cover ABA. We accept most major plans and verify your benefits for free. We often have openings and can start quickly, so ask about current availability.
Not sure where to start? Contact us for a free consultation, and your BCBA will explain how social goals fit into your child's overall plan.
Progress in social skills is shared with you in plain language. Your BCBA will show you the data, point out new skills as they emerge and suggest simple ways to practice during family time, at the park or at a birthday party. Small social wins at home often show up later at school and with friends.
ABA programs for your family
Full-Day Center-Based ABA
Structured, full-day programming at our Cherry Hill center, with school-readiness built in.
Learn more →ABA Therapy for Children
One-on-one, play-based ABA that builds communication, social and daily-living skills.
Learn more →In-Home ABA Therapy
Therapy in your home, where routines like meals, bedtime and play happen.
Learn more →Early Intervention ABA
Support for toddlers and preschoolers during the years skills grow fastest.
Learn more →School & Community-Based ABA
Help carrying skills into classrooms, playgrounds, stores and outings.
Learn more →Feeding Therapy (ABA)
Help with picky eating, food selectivity and mealtime behavior, coordinated with your child's doctors.
Learn more →
Charles Knoppel, BCBA
Clinical Director — Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Charles leads our clinical team and oversees every child’s treatment plan. He reviewed this page for clinical accuracy in October 2026. Meet our team →
Frequently asked questions
What social skills does ABA teach?
ABA can teach almost any social skill that can be described and measured. Common goals include making eye contact or orienting toward a speaker, greetings, sharing, taking turns, joining play, asking and answering questions, staying on topic, recognizing emotions and handling losing or changes. Your BCBA chooses goals based on your child's assessment and what matters most to your family.
Do you offer social skills groups?
Peer practice happens within our programs, especially at our Cherry Hill center, where children have supported chances to play and talk with other kids during the day. Whether group practice is right for your child depends on their goals and readiness. Your BCBA will recommend the best mix of one-on-one teaching and peer practice.
What age should my child start working on social skills?
Social skills work can start very early. Toddlers work on foundations like joint attention, imitation and playing near other children. Preschoolers and school-age children work on turn-taking, conversation and friendship skills. There is no age that is too late to start, and goals grow as your child does.
How long does it take to see social skills progress?
It varies widely from child to child, and we never promise a timeline. Some children pick up a new play skill in a few weeks; complex skills like conversation take longer. Your BCBA tracks data every session and reviews progress with you, so you can see small changes as they happen and adjust goals together.
Can social skills help my child at school?
Yes. Many school challenges are social: joining a game at recess, working in a group, asking a teacher for help or handling a disagreement. Practicing those skills in therapy, and then at school through community-based ABA where the district allows it, can make the school day easier. We can share goals with the Child Study Team.
Is social skills training covered by insurance?
Social skills goals are usually covered as part of a medically necessary ABA treatment plan for a child with an autism diagnosis. Coverage depends on your plan. We work with most major plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare and UnitedHealthcare, and verify benefits for free before you commit.
Do you provide social skills support in the Philadelphia area?
Yes. We serve families across the Philadelphia region, mostly through in-home and community-based ABA, where social skills can be practiced with siblings and in places like parks and libraries. Families who want more peer practice can also use our Cherry Hill center, which is the only center we operate.
Help your child connect
Book a free consultation. We'll talk about your child's social goals, check your insurance and explain how we teach and practice these skills.