Irvine, California

Social Skills Groups That Follow Your Child's Lead

Therapist-led groups where children practice connecting with peers through play.

Our social groups are led by Tumble N' Dots therapists and built on play, not scripts to memorize. Each group is matched to an age and stage, so children practice real back-and-forth with peers who are working on similar things. We follow each child's lead, celebrate how they naturally connect, and keep groups warm, structured, and genuinely fun.

Groups matched by age and stage Led by our therapists Play-based and child-led Serving families since 2016
Music therapist holding a guitar while a young boy strums the strings during a Tumble N' Groove session
Discover your voice in our engaging Music Therapy Group, specifically designed for children with all abilities! Led by highly-trained, board-certified music therapists, our groups provide a dynamic, supportive space to nurture social and communication skills.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 14th, 2026 - August 23rd, 2026 (sold out)
Fall 2026 Dates: September 13th, 2026 - December 13th, 2026
Ages 3 -6
Two young children outdoors sharing a picture board during a Curious Caterpillars play group
Through play-based activities and sensory exploration, children will work in a social skills group-based setting while enhancing their fine and gross motor abilities, self-regulation, and social skills at our unique sensory gym environment. Classes will focus on enhancing: balance, motor coordination, motor planning, sensory processing, social skills, body awareness, and emotional regulation. Group sizes are limited to ensure each child receives individualized attention and support based on their skill level.
Summer Session 2026: June 16th, 2026 - August 20th, 2026
Fall Session 2026: September 1st, 2026 - November 5th, 2026
Ages 2 - 4
Social group programs for 3-5 year olds
Social skills and emotional regulation are foundational abilities necessary for engaging in a variety of environments. Developed & led by doctors of occupational therapy, Social Butterflies focuses on fostering your child’s social-emotional skills using a holistic and play-based approach within a peer group setting at our unique sensory gym environment. 
Ages 5 - 7
Group programs in Irvine
As a step up from Social Butterflies, Social Superheroes continues to focus on fostering your child’s social-emotional skills using a holistic and play-based approach within a peer group setting at our unique sensory gym environment, with a more specified focus on facilitating reciprocal conversation and friendship between peers, promotes development of problem-solving skills and flexible thinking in a group environment, and fosters understanding of curriculum related to emotional awareness and calming strategies. This group is most appropriate for children in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade.
Ages 5 - 7
Children painting on blue paper at a shared table during a Social Explorers sensorimotor group
Our Social Explorers Sensorimotor Group is an occupational therapy-based program that uses interactive, play based activities to support children’s growth and development. Through sensory play, tactile exploration, movement games, and hands-on projects, children practice important skills such as coordination, self-regulation, social emotional skills, and motor planning. These activities also help build strength for everyday tasks at home and school while encouraging social skills like teamwork, turn-taking, and positive peer interaction.
Ages 5 - 11
Children slicing cucumber together at a table during a Mindful MasterChefs cooking group
Ages 8 - 12
Executive functioning and emotional regulation are foundational abilities necessary for engaging in a variety of environments. For our kiddos, cooking activities are a great way to foster these skills in a social environment. Developed & led by occupational therapists, Mindful MasterChefs focuses on fostering your child’s social-emotional skills using a holistic and play-based approach within a peer group setting. Each week will focus on a specific topic using evidence-based curriculum from Social Thinking and Zones of Regulation. Group sizes are limited to ensure each child receives individualized attention and support based on their skill level.
Game Changers Group

The Game Changers Social Group is designed for kids ages 8–12 who love play and connection. Led by a doctorate-level pediatric occupational therapist, the group uses board games, sensory-motor breaks, and guided interactions to help children build real-world skills like emotional regulation, problem solving, flexible thinking, turn-taking, and handling both wins and losses with confidence.

Ages 8 - 12
Girl drawing with a crayon at a table during a kindergarten readiness group
Our kindergarten readiness group helps your child build the foundational skills they need to feel confident and capable as they start school. Led by licensed occupational therapists, this weekly program uses play-based activities and sensorimotor exploration to support early learners in a supportive, small-group environment.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 12th 2026 - August 7th, 2026 (sold out)
Fall 2026 Dates: August 21st 2026 - October 23rd, 2026
For kids attending kindergarten in 2026-2027
Social Skills Group Class

What are Social Skills Groups?

Not all children naturally pick up social cues like saying “please” and “thank you” or taking turns by watching others. For kids who find social interactions challenging, a social skills group can provide the structured support they need to thrive.

Our social skills groups are therapeutic and are designed to help children build essential skills for navigating everyday situations at school, during activities, and at home. With a positive and supportive environment, our tailored programs focus on each child’s unique needs, providing opportunities for both structured learning and peer interaction. Group leaders coach children in real-life social scenarios, helping them practice skills such as understanding body language, managing emotions, initiating conversations, taking turns, problem-solving, and more.

These groups are about more than communication, they build the foundation for friendships, success in school, and confidence in social settings. Research shows that social skills therapy improves self-esteem and equips children with the tools they need to handle various social environments.

If your child could benefit from guidance in social interactions, our groups are here to help foster meaningful growth and rewarding relationships.

More at Tumble N' Dots

Beyond our weekly groups

If your child needs more than one session a week, or you are looking for something over a school break, we have two more ways to work together.

Year-round

Intensive Therapy Programs

More therapy, more often, with a multidisciplinary team. Our Intensive Therapeutic Program and Tumble-N-Grow weave each child's individual goals into a play-based, neurodiversity-affirming day.

  • Occupational therapy, speech, and feeding under one roof
  • For children who have plateaued with weekly sessions
  • Runs year-round
Explore intensive therapy
Winter, spring & summer

School Break Camps

Therapist-run day camps over winter break, spring break, and summer. Small groups, hands-on play, and skills built right into the activity. Open to children of all abilities.

  • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at our Irvine clinic
  • Led by occupational therapists and speech therapists
  • No diagnosis or referral needed
Parenting OC award badgesWinner of Best Special Needs Therapy and Best Special Needs Intensive Therapy Camp by Parenting OC readers.
See our camps