Discover Megan's inspiring journey as she overcomes sensory challenges and anxiety at a Carrie Underwood concert, finding strength and joy in the experience.
Rule policing can have long term social implications. Follow these tips to help kids understand the balance of following the rules without policing others.
Friendship is an important part of childhood and can have a significant impact on a child's overall well-being. Teaching children essential friendship skills can help them form positive and healthy…
Has your child’s social life has been an area of concern for some time but you’re not quite sure what he/she needs? Do you wonder why they don’t ask to…
If people can understand their anxiety, use proven strategies to manage anxiety, and increase the positive aspects of their lives in conjunction with reducing the negative elements, the words will…
Blustering can happen when kids feel uncomfortable socially. These same kids can’t read social cues and they send unintended negative messaging to potential friends.
For the month of November, we are working with many of the kids/teens/young adults in our groups on how to truly connect to other people through conversation. Holiday time provides…
Halloween should be a social holiday but what to do if your child doesn't have anyone to trick or treat with? Pre Halloween parties are a great way to set…
When children and teens face challenges, they might become overwhelmed and feel incapable of coping. Resilience helps to propel them forward when faced with hard times.
The academic performance of many kids was much lower during Covid than at any other time. We had more than one child or teen confess that they were failing one…
As kids grow and are in late elementary school at about age 10, you might find that they begin to lose friendships. The reason why it happens is important for…
For both the teen and their parents, we have found that the more they understand the “why” behind their actions, the more understanding they will be of each other. At…
Holidays that are not kid-oriented present a great opportunity to practice perspective taking skills. Kids who have social difficulty often have a hard time thinking of another’s point of view.…
Bullying is a difficult subject to talk about and can be a real challenge for parents trying to figure out what they can/should do. Let’s break down some key elements…
When new friendships begin to form, there is often a roadblock that gets in they way. Here are some tips to overcome the hardest part of friend “matchmaking”.
The Simply Social Kids program coaches kids on social skills but also teaches them resiliency. This aspect of our program is an important point of difference from other social skills…
Job Openings: Social Coaches and Social Coach Assistants Needed Our program is looking for qualified social coaches and social coach assistants for our in-person groups (Tyngsboro, MA).
Join us for a casual discussion about ADHD from a college senior who will share his journey from age 10 – 21. Nadine and Trent Briggs of Simply Social Kids…
Gift giving and receiving is all about thinking of others or perspective taking. For kids who have social difficulty, this is especially hard for them. Considering the view of others…
The new school year has arrived, and parents are eager to know how their kids are adjusting. The typical "How was your day?" often leads to vague answers that don’t…
Perfectionism can be likened to a hamster on a wheel, running tirelessly but never really getting anywhere. This relentless pursuit of flawlessness often leaves individuals feeling exhausted, frustrated, anxious, and…
Addressing the challenging and sometimes uncomfortable aspects of personal hygiene and social behavior are vital to helping kids/teens understand how they are presenting themselves to others.
Many social skills programs have a structure that can feel a bit like "friend school". Our approach is mostly in-the-moment coaching with a short (10 minutes or less) lesson.
Summer is coming and now is the time to make sure to share cell numbers or other contact information so teens can contact each other this summer. Check out our…
The topic of reading social cues is extensive, with numerous books dedicated to it. This video aims to provide fundamental tips to help you begin understanding social cues. We cover…
Many parents are curious about the effectiveness of our program, especially how coaching is delivered and its impact. This video provides a clear example, showcasing a child's experience with social…
Kids with social challenges crave attention from peers and try to be seen as interesting. This can lead some to stretch the truth and cause friendship issues.
Flexible thinking is not only essential for academic success but also plays a crucial role in building strong and healthy relationships, particularly with friends.
Much like the moon momentarily obscuring the sun, friendships go through phases of light and shadow, growth and retreat. Let's embark on a journey through these phases, drawing parallels between…
During play, if it seems like the dynamics could turn unfriendly, unfair, or unsafe, we prompt them with questions like "Why do I feel uncomfortable right now?"
The level of loneliness is at an alarming level for post high school young adults who struggle socially. Here are 10 tips to find friends for ages 18 and older.
Kids with social challenges do not understand what friendship is at its core. Once they learn that friendship is reciprocal, they can begin to modify the way they interact and…
Preparing for social events ahead of time can help to ease social anxiety. Here are some tips for how to bring your "social self" to social interactions and to avoid…
If someone yearning for friends but has not had success, then something needs to change. Trying to make friends with support could be just what they need.
Kids with social challenges do not understand what friendship is at its core. Once they learn that friendship is reciprocal, they can begin to modify the way they interact and…
Kids with social challenges do not understand what friendship is at its core. Once they learn that friendship is reciprocal, they can begin to modify the way they interact and…
When kids bonk their head or get hurt in some way, they tend to look around immediately for a scapegoat to blame. Check out our strategy to help kids to…
Kids with social challenges do not understand what friendship is at its core. Once they learn that friendship is reciprocal, they can begin to modify the way they interact and…
Kids who have trouble making and keeping friends can go weeks and even months without socializing with anyone outside of school. Watch our video to learn how to make social…
Planning social time with others can be a daunting task for kids and teens. Our free Simply Social Kids planner is a great tool to make the task effortless.
Apps like Mindful Powers can help to create the mind muscles that kids need to be able to control impulses. Kids need that "pause" button in their brains so they…
Our intern had to move suddenly as he entered high school. He discusses how he tired to make friends, what didn't work and why, and what he eventually did to…
Discover effective strategies to support children with high-functioning autism (HFA), anxiety, ADHD, and OCD in navigating social interactions during play. Foster empathy, flexibility, and problem-solving skills. Promote effective communication and…
Loneliness is not merely an emotion; it has evolved into a pressing public health crisis that significantly impacts our mental and physical well-being.
Setting goals can help teens focus on what they want to achieve socially. Setting goals can help teens focus on what they want to achieve socially. Otherwise teens might flounder…
Ruminating on the bad things can lead to bitterness but choosing to focus on what is going well, can help build resiliency. Help your child choose resiliency.
Summer is upon us! This stretch of time, without the regular demands of school, can provide a great break but also a time when there can be less time with…
Parent teacher conferences are quick meetings with the teacher. To optimize your time, here are 6 questions you can ask to find out how your child is doing socially.
Simply Social Kids has been deep cleaned, an air filtering system is in place, plenty of hand sanitizer available, and we are ready for action. Join us beginning July 6th.…
This month, we’re going to spotlight and appreciate some of the young people we know who are on the spectrum by highlighting their talents and general awesomeness. First up, meet…
Listening, like really listening is what makes true friendship connections. Here are 4 tips on how to become a good listener and show others that you value their friendship.
Parenting during Covid has been so incredibly challenging. Kids are more disengaged socially and academically. Parents are trying to communicate with their kids with mixed results. Parents who are trying…
Many kids don’t understand the value of small talk. They would rather not talk about things that are obvious because they don’t see the point. If it recently snowed, for…
Reading social cues can be tricky for many because of all the subtle ways that we express ourselves. We communicate with the words we choose, but also the position of…
Many thanks to everyone who attended our free online event, Let's Chat About ADHD, on Tuesday evening. We had a great turnout with many thought-provoking questions. Many people struggle with…
Most children and teens with social challenges also have issues with anxiety. The anxiety can lead to an overabundance of “what if…” thoughts. Kids who have an opportunity to socialize…
One of the most common issues that we hear from parents when they contact us for friendship coaching is that their child or teen tries to control social interactions. They…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea As this pandemic drags on, the memories of what is “normal” can begin to fade. For my (Nadine’s) personal mental health, I try to…
Negativity is very toxic beast. Holding on to grudges can make you feel bitter and resentful. Over time, those feelings can begin to take up so much space that there…
Even though we knew this was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier. The weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter and COVID-19 is spreading while we…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Even though we knew this was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier. The weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs The ability to offer a do-over during a contested call in a social game is a skill that many children need to learn. Do-overs…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Disclaimer: The ideas in this blog are based on recommendations from town officials to have a safe Halloween for everyone who chooses to participate…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs We (Donna and Nadine) were emailing back and forth this week, just checking in on each other during these strange and, honestly, unpleasant times.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Today’s youth are dealing with a tremendous amount of frustration and even fear during the pandemic. Their lives are completely different now in so…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Social coaching is about observing the obstacles that are getting in the way of a child or teen, and depending on the nature of…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Fall is a great time of year to socialize outdoors. The weather is cooler and the scenery gets that amazing boost of color, especially…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs My (Donna’s) nuclear family crew have historically not been the greatest of communicators, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings. We have agreed to, and have…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea The return to school in the fall of 2020 is so incredibly challenging for all involved. Never have we needed more compassion and understanding…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Friendships don’t just happen. Well, maybe there is that occasional friendship at first sight. And even then, in order for that friendship to grow…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea We’ve blogged many times about the reciprocal nature of friendship. As part of forming truly meaningful connections, each of us needs to decide which…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Conversation skills are something that many parents ask us to work on when we are social coaching kids. The ability to initiate and sustain…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) recently had an outdoor (physically distant but felt so awesomely normal) coffee with a new friend of mine who I met through…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea New social pressures are occurring as people are interacting during this pandemic. We might have differing comfort levels when it comes to physical distancing.…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Parents are faced with extremely challenging choices this fall as kids return to whatever school looks like for them. The same is true for…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Since the advent of the pandemic back in March, we have all been forced into changes of seismic proportions. What we thought would be…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Most people who experience difficulty creating lasting friendships with others struggle with being able to see or a different point of view. Understanding another…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I’m sitting here running a Zoom Room activity where the kids are playing Roblox together. We also have scheduled times when they play Minecraft.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea As social coaches, we have a front-row seat in observing how children, teens, and their families are all managing these unprecedented times. There are…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Our world has always been comprised of heroes and villains. There are people who strive to do good and those that, for whatever reason,…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Fairy: Tammy Fannon Photo Credit: Mackenzie Fannon During times like these, we all have to make a choice. Sometimes the crisis has a direct…
By Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs It’s all okay. No matter what feeling you have right now, at this moment. It’s okay. Is it anger? It’s alright to feel anger…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Note: A version of this article was originally published in the MGH Down Syndrome Program newsletter, COVID-19: Self-Care Saturdays on May 2, 2020. In mid-March, the pandemic resulted…
All of our social resiliency groups have transitioned online! We hope to be back at our center soon but in the meantime, friendship will not be canceled. Contact us if…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Reading the intent of another person during social interaction can be tricky. The children, teens, and young adults who attend our centers have a…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs When I (Donna) was 5-years-old, I got caught shoplifting. We were at a local vegetable and fruit stand and I saw one of those…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Our (Nadine’s) family has a few birthdays that we celebrate in January. My husband’s birthday is today, with mine being on Thursday. As I…
By Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs Most adults would fill in that blank with “so.” “Because I said so” is a phrase that kids hear pretty frequently. In my experience,…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs It’s a high-anxiety time of year for kids. Let’s think about it from their standpoint. Many of them are being watched by an Elf…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Within our families and friend groups, various needs pop up for different people. It can feel a bit like playing “whack-a-mole” as we do…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea It’s holiday gift giving time! We have some favorite games that we play at our social skills centers that are fun to play but…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Both of us are veterans of stressful family gatherings. I (Donna) can tell you that I never attended a family gathering that looked like…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea The release of our latest book, Bully Busting and Managing Meanies: Tip for Kids on Managing Conflict, prompted me to think back on my…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Today is World Kindness Day. It is also Red Sweater Day in honor of Mr. Rogers, one of the kindest and most genuine people…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Making meaningful connections is critical to developing friendship with others. The conversation must go beyond the initial greeting. Most of the kids, teens and…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs It’s the week of jack-o-lanterns, costumes, candy, and scary fun. For those kids who participate in Halloween festivities, the excitement can be almost too…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea One of the most common friendship struggles we see at our social skills centers is that kids/teens don’t understand that friendships need balance. If…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I think that we all believe that in our culture, there is a definite uptick in anxiety in our children and teens. We have…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When kids are being teased and harassed, they become so angry and upset that many of them start plotting their revenge on the offender.…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) recently experienced a loss of what Nadine and I refer to as our “sparkle.” That positive vibe that we bring to life…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea My son (Nadine’s), Trent is a college junior and he rented an on-campus apartment with 3 other guys this year. Three of the four…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Humans are judgy beings – whether we should or shouldn’t, we do. It takes just 4 seconds to make a first impression on someone…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs When I (Donna) was recently teaching a sportsmanship workshop at my center, the old idiom of stealing someone’s thunder came up in the conversation.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Walking into a new social setting can be intimidating and even anxiety-provoking. If you don’t know the people who are going to be there…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Each social skills group that we run has its own unique energy and vibe. The feel environment is driven by the people in the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs As our bullying workbook launches, I’ve been thinking about the kids that I have met as a social coach that, for whatever reason, lead…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Talking strong is delivered in a moderate volume voice with shoulders back, a stand-up-straight posture with head up and a confident look on the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs There are many different social skills curriculums out there. There are board games, worksheets, role plays, and thousands of tools to help teach social-emotional…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Younger kids might not be able to articulate why socializing is hard for them. They might also not even understand when or why they…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Many parents of kids and teens who attend our centers will tell us that their child is friendly, interested in socializing and are able…
By Nadine Briggs I am generally a very positive and upbeat person but today I feel angry. I am angry because someone did something to a very dear friend of…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Teenagers who have social struggles sometimes have no awareness of their challenges. As adults, we watch them implode, socially cringing all the while. Observing…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Conversation skills are absolutely critical for making a friendship connection with another person. The nuances of conversations are subtle and can be tricky for…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs In recent social groups, we’ve been talking about how the need to have the last word increases conflict to flammable levels. I’ll watch two…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea About a year ago, I (Nadine) had two teen boys in a social group together who did not get along. Despite their obvious dislike…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs For some kids in our social groups, the ability to share something positive without sounding as though they are bragging is a tricky skill…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Teens who are of working age should try to obtain paid employment if possible during the summer. Working can build self-esteem and teach teens…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs We both find ourselves in the midst of several different crises happening at the same time to our family or close friends. Anytime life…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Being smashed in the face with anything is not usually a cause for celebration and I certainly don’t want to encourage more face smashing…
It’s been quite a while since you have heard from us. We have all had to adjust and respond to the medical emergency we face in our communities, states, countries, and the…
This is a question that I (Donna) asked the kids in my social groups. We came up with a list: Tests and getting bad grades; What people think about you;…
Light It Up Blue or Red Instead? By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Lately, I have been talking to several teenage boys who have a diagnosis of high functioning autism…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Ghosting: the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication. (Source, Google Dictionary) While the…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Lately I have been talking with a lot parents and teens about anxiety. I had one teen boy recently pull me aside during social…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Finding the right tone to strike when defending a belief can be tricky and, quite honestly, takes a lot of practice. If the topic…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I’ve always had difficulty sleeping (Donna). Being one of those people that comes wired with anxiety, I would frequently find myself awake in the…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea As the parent of a fairly complicated person, I (Nadine) find myself second-guessing doctors quite often. It’s not that I don’t trust their training…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Children and teens who have social challenges have difficulty with understanding which type of language to use in various settings. They might try to…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I found this blog post that I had written back in 2017 (Donna), and since yesterday was Superbowl Sunday, football will definitely be a…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs We all know what a love triangle is (who hasn’t read a good romance book?) There are other types of triangles that human beings…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When disasters occur, we often are encouraged to look for the helpers. Those who help sandbag when flood waters rise or pick up the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Our work has become infused with positive psychology. A few years back, Nadine would tell me things about positive psychology and mindfulness and my…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea The holiday season is a time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends. For those who celebrate Christmas and Hanukah, it’s also…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs This is a re-posting from a blog we wrote last December. Tis the season, and for those families who celebrate Christmas, there is the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs As I chatted with a new-to-my-social-group and middle school 6th grader, words came to mind. Awkward. Self-conscious. Body-conscious. Anxious. Friends who are no longer…
“Would You Like to Hang Out Sometime?” – 6 Steps for Success By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea It takes a tremendous amount of bravery to ask someone that question.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Teens today have grown up with electronic messaging in various forms. The thought of picking up a phone and calling someone is a mortifying…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs All kids, at some time or another, tattle. Some kids are consistent, reliable informants. The problem with tattling is that it doesn’t win you…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Most of the children and teens that we work with have anxiety. Many crave a high degree of control over all things, play, conversation,…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) know a tween who just received her first cell phone. In actuality, it’s more of the fact that now she just doesn’t…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Social groups are back in full swing with kids, teens, and adults of all ages coming to learn how to connect and become more…
What is it? Mr. Aaron’s guide to things kids love and we parents might struggle to understand. Guest blogger Aaron Shea is a parent of a tween, a kid at heart,…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Many of the kids we work with struggled greatly with transitioning from one thing to another. Transitions such as going to bed at the…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea A close friend of ours is going through an extremely challenging and life-altering event. As people who have both also experienced life-altering events, we…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs What good thing happened today? That is a question that my (Donna) significant other Mike and I are working into our daily conversations. We…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea I (Nadine) had the pleasure of being part of a very exciting movement. I spent last week in Fort Worth, Texas at The World…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna), spent the last week on a vacation that was predominantly centered around hiking the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I’ve noted the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Have you perhaps noticed that your child may be a little bit more irritable, stressed or disregulated in the last few weeks? It could…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea People who have ADHD are challenged with tasks that involve organization. The ability to perform executive function and planning tasks is handled by the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs There are times in all friendships when “icky” moments occur. There are times in business relationships when “icky” moments occur too. The potential for…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea An epic battle is coming this Friday. Nadine’s center, Simply Social Kids, is hosting Donna’s center, The Peter Pan Center for a game of…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs One of the strategies in our anxiety workbook is to consider whether something may possibly occur or probably happen. I’ve been employing this technique…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea As spring sports swing into gear, I (Nadine) recall when my son played club soccer. He had a coach at one point who had…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs For the kids that attend our centers, bullying is an on-going concern. Lately, it feels to us that bullying is GROWING at an alarming…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Anxiety can be tricky business. It can come on due to events in someone’s life or a small thing that might happen that becomes…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I’ve spent several pleasant mornings and evenings in the month of March presenting workshops for various extended school day programs. I love talking to…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea An innocent girl just wanting to be friends sits unknowingly at a lunch table in her elementary school. She sits with the same group…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) just finished reading the book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth. This quote she used from a parent…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea During a social group last week, a group of 9 year old boys decided to have a “Connect 4” tournament. They had figured out…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Children who seek a high level of control can present with a great deal of rigidity when they are asked to go about their…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Have you ever considered why your friends are your friends? What is it about those particular people that draws you toward them and them…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I’m (Donna) finishing up a specialization in Positive Psychology through the University of Pennsylvania. Nadine already has hers. It’s fascinating in so many ways…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When new kids join a social group, they come with a clean slate. Whatever social gaffs that occurred in other settings are unknown to…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs One of the prevalent social skills challenges we see in kids is the inability to see a perspective beyond their own at any given…
By Nadine Briggs & Donna Shea Note: The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution states that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs In coaching kids who sadly find themselves being on the receiving end of mean teasing, the most important lesson that we can give them…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs An occasional child comes through my door (Donna) that uses their disability as an excuse for poor behavior. “I can’t help it, I have…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea I (Nadine) was interviewed by a magazine this past week and asked a question I don’t think I’ve ever been asked before. What was I…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea We have decided in our many years of friendship, that we pretty much share one brain. We also find, as time goes by, that…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea This week, I (Nadine) heard a disturbing account of bullying in a local elementary school. The bully is terrorizing the kids at recess. He…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) observe many kids in my social group that tend to gravitate toward an individual or isolating activity. This week, I had a couple of…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea I (Nadine) host a Halloween party for the teenagers who attend Simply Social Kids every year. Over the years of hosting teen parties for…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) have been working with a 5th-grade girl in one of my groups whose struggles with friendships are arising from her talents. I…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea While it seems like the school year has just started, it’s time to prepare for the parent-teacher conferences that happen around mid-October. These quick…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs There is a traditional Native American ceremony called smudging. It’s mainly used for homes and houses, to clear any bad feelings and negativity before…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Recess is a time for children to run around, have fun and socialize. For some kids, recess is more stressful than rejuvenating. It can…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) had my 10-year-old granddaughter Maggie at our house for a sleepover a weekend or so ago. I love spending time with her.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Each new school year brings the chance for kids to make new connections with potential friends. Parents look forward to their kids having a…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I’m (Donna) working with a sweet gal who is entering 5th grade next week (I’ll call her Amy) and is suffering from significant social…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When kids have difficulty forming strong friendship connections, they tend to hold on more tightly to the friends they do make. A healthy amount…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs For two people who focus on supporting kids with making and keeping friends, it may seem counter-intuitive for us to discuss ending a friendship.…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea At this point in the summer, kids start thinking about the new school year. They wonder who his or her teacher will be, and which…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs, We are two pretty fierce mama bears when it comes to our sons and daughter. Surely, the same is true of all mothers, whether…
By Nadine Briggs & Donna Shea For people who struggle with anxiety, they can routinely experience what we refer to as “hair on fire” moments. This week at my social…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs During a social group a few weeks ago, I watched one of my tween girls shut down in a conversation, as though someone had…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea On April 30th of this year, I (Nadine) wrote a blog (http://www.howtomakeandkeepfriends.com/kids-come-bonus-features/) about some recent struggles that my daughter was having recently. She is…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Summer is a time to enjoy the warmer weather and take a little time off from work. As a business owner, taking true time…
By Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs I (Donna) have personally dealt with anxiety most of my life. I was born with an anxious wiring system. It has ebbed and flowed…
The Sweetest Thing Ever By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea with guest contributor Jesse Lowe. Both Donna and Nadine hosted events for the kids and teens who attend their centers…
By Nadine Briggs On the day that I became a mom, my daughter, Megan, was born after an uneventful pregnancy. As she entered this world, she did not cry as…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I was talking to a neuropsychologist on the phone about one of our mutual clients the other day. I mentioned how Billy would always…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When my daughter, Megan, was born I quickly became used to terms that would be used to describe my baby, like “global developmental delays”…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Trash-talk can be fun when playing games with friends if the right tone is communicated. Saying to an opponent, “You are sooooo going down,”…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Parenting can be a lot like trying to solve a complex puzzle. When raising a child who has specific challenges and it can seem as…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Virtually all the kids we work with struggle with some form of anxiety. We live in a social world so it makes sense that…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs One of the greatest challenges brought to us by educators is how to handle children who carry a sense of entitlement. The many ways…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Pets can communicate very clearly using the only means they have. They don’t speak our human language but are able to let us know…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs I (Donna) just got back from a trip to Disney. I expected crowds. I expected long wait times and having to be patient in…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea We often describe our social coaching with kids as we “state the obvious and connect the dots”. For those who are adept at reading…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Starting a conversation with another person can be intimidating, especially if small chat is not a personal strength or if you don’t know someone…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs A great deal of time and energy go into creating behavior plans for socially and behaviorally struggling kids. The majority of plans that we…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea When you are working with the school system to create an education plan for your child, it is important to remember to consider the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs We have a lot of adults pop onto our Facebook page talking about the struggles that they have making and keeping friends. Honestly, social…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Sometimes life just feels extra heavy. Certainly, the mood of our country has held a heaviness for those people who feel uncertain about the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs We consult to many parents who bring their children to us with the goal of helping those children become more socially successful. Sometimes the…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Parents come to us all the time asking for help with their kids who are rigid, have anger issues, are unforgiving, or unable too…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Parenting hindsight, as any other hindsight, is always 20/20. What do you wish you could go back and say to yourself as a parent?…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea Tis the season, and for those families who celebrate Christmas, there is the expectation for kids to be good all year. If not, the…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs The How to Make & Keep Friends social coaching approach includes taking what a child may already know and assisting them in applying that…
By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea An adult or child who struggles with feelings of anxiety will tend to avoid the things or places that cause him or her to…
By Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs Our non-clinical approach to supporting friendships and social success is a unique one. The majority of social skills groups take place in a clinical…
By Nadine Briggs & Donna Shea As we reflect on the past week, it has been somewhat difficult to consider which blog topic to post today. The current mood of…
By Donna Shea In my work at the center, or out on the road giving a workshop, I will frequently encounter a parent who is holding back or reticent about…
By Donna Shea I saw this image about following your passion in life. It has been a topic of discussion around my office this week. Particularly around Thomas the Tank…
By Donna Shea Making apologies seems to have been a running theme for me during the beginning of the school year. Like everyone else, I am human. I make mistakes,…
By Nadine Briggs Have you ever felt as though you have lost your “sparkle”? That thing inside of you that you were known for? Your quality that was known for…
By Donna Shea I’ve been struggling a lot this week with body odor and bad breath. Fortunately, not my own (at least I think I’m okay!) No, I’ve been trying…
By Nadine Briggs When kids are playing together, strong opinions about what they want to play and how it should be played quickly come to fruition. Whether it is in…
By Donna Shea “Dude, stop it!” “Hey dude, check this out.” “Seriously dude?” I hear kids use the word dude when speaking to each other. A lot. I don’t personally have…
By Nadine Briggs Recently, I was asked if I would ever consider having “typical” kids as role models in my social skills program for teens. There are so many parts…
By Donna Shea I’ve just finished up facilitating six weeks of a full day summer program that includes all of the cool stuff that our kids like to do. We…
By Nadine Briggs Starting a new school year is always so exciting and for some kids, can also be anxiety-provoking. A child may spend considerable time contemplating his or her…
By Nadine Briggs Conversation skills can be very tricky for kids with social challenges. Thinking of the right thing to say, finding the timely moment to say it, giving just…
By Nadine Briggs When something drags you down, who is there to help pick you back up? Do you have someone who will listen to your ugly moments without judging…
By Donna Shea I had a chance to play with my 10-year old niece and 6 year-old nephew this past weekend. We were happily tossing a yellow Frisbee®* around in…
By Nadine Briggs When Donna and I work with kids we have the opportunity to see them interact with their peers in a natural, unstructured environment. We see how some…
By Nadine Briggs For the past few weeks at social group we have been working on friendship plans for summer. Kids who have difficulty socializing may have found a level…
By Donna Shea School and sports. These are two places where our society predominantly focuses on a child’s success. But what if your child is one of those kids that…
By Nadine Briggs Kids who attend our social education centers come to us because playing with peers is difficult. Sometimes it’s really, really hard. Play time is fraught with barriers…
By Donna Shea I met a young mom at a presentation I gave this past week on Behavior: The Language of Children. All throughout the presentation, I watched her nod…
By Nadine Briggs When my daughter, Megan, was born nearly 20 years ago, the sheer magnitude of her vulnerability forever changed me as a person. I certainly always had my…
By Donna Shea The art of successfully social coaching children lies in the little memorable phrases that we weave into their interactions. A short, easy to remember, social code word…
By Nadine Briggs “Wait, hold up a second, I wanted to tell how impressed I am by you.” Huh? Wait…what? I’m quite certain no one has ever spoken those words…
By Nadine Briggs Donna and I were giving a friendship seminar recently when during Q&A, a mom brought up a concern about her son. “My son has been friends with…
By Donna Shea Sometimes, maybe. When he or she wants to actively avoid responding to your request. The majority of the time, probably not. I work with lots and lots…
By Nadine Briggs A child or teen who exhibits social difficulties may offer up different reasons for why he or she cannot socialize or avoids social situations. According to his…
By Donna Shea Both Nadine and I are fans of collaboration, cooperation and compromise. However, there are times in our day and in our life when we need our children…
By Nadine Briggs Have you ever been called annoying? Stupid? A jerk? Even the R-word? (A word I despise so much, I won’t even type it out). Words hurt. In…
By Donna Shea I was sad the day after the Super Bowl. Not because our New England Patriots were not playing in it this year (well, maybe a little), but…
By Nadine Briggs Here is the story of Wiskers (not a typo, his name is spelled without the “h”). Donna and I have told his story to elementary and middle school…
By Donna Shea My significant other, Michael, recently had a minor day surgery. All went well except for the fact that he struggled with the effects of the anesthesia for…
‘Tis the season of gift giving. In my social skills groups this past week, we have been talking about and practicing the tips in our book in the section on…
5 Tips for Sensory-Sensitive Children During the Holidays By Nadine Briggs The holidays can be challenging for kids who experience sensory sensitivities. The pressure is on for families to enjoy…
By Donna Shea The season has arrived when helping kids with behavior management includes elves on shelves and being on the naughty or nice list. Children are cautioned to be…
Top 5 Social Skills Games for Your Holiday Shopping List By Nadine Briggs In our work as social coaches, we offer a huge variety of toys and games for the…
By Donna Shea We work with many kids who might be described as inflexible or rigid in their thinking. There are times when a one-track mind is a powerfully positive…
When the Heart Hides By Nadine Briggs She can be really tough, even downright mean at times. She is openly abrasive and does not care what others think of her.…
Sharing a terrific resource with facts and tips for parents on mobile phone use. It’s a subject that we talk about a lot when we work in schools. Parents of…
Perspective That Hits Like a Mack Truck By Nadine Briggs As some of you know, my 18 year old daughter, Megan, has Down syndrome and attends a residential school about…
By Donna Shea I know that our blog posts are usually about how to socially support children and teens. There have been circumstances recently at my center that prompt me…
By Nadine Briggs Research abounds in detailing how damaging long term, severe bullying can be to a person. Brain scans show scientifically how bullying can and does negatively impact the…
By Donna Shea Have you ever found yourself using or thinking the words why don’t you act your age with a child? The answer to that question, more often than…
Understanding Leads to Understanding By Nadine Briggs “I’m concerned that the teacher will peg my kid as the bad one.” “I’m worried that the kids won’t like my child.” When…
By Donna Shea I just came home from vacation after facilitating a 6-week full-day summer program at my Center. Each week brought me new kids to meet and new challenges…
New School Anticipation: 20 Thoughts to Manage Anxiety By Nadine Briggs Worry comes about when we don’t know what to expect, and that is certainly true for any new school…
By Donna Shea Some kids have a difficult time with being shy and joining in. Some kids have mastered the social finesse of working his or her way into a…
Is There a Bully in Your Brain? By Nadine Briggs Our minds never stop thinking. We are constantly bombarded with an ongoing dialogue from within our own minds. What are…
by Donna Shea It is my belief that respect is something that cannot be demanded and I purposely avoid using the word respect or phrases such as “you are being…
by Donna Shea Difficulty with making transitions is a common theme that I see with many kids at my Center. There have been numerous upset moments over the years such…
In like a kitten, out like a lion… By Nadine Briggs My assistant motions to me that someone is crying outside. She is an eight-year-old girl who I know well…
Here’s a little something I made for my tween gals before we ended our social group for the summer (with parent permission). They all left with each other’s contact information,…
Fire pits and Flashlight Tag By Nadine Briggs I love hanging out around fire pits. It’s like camping but without having to sleep on the ground. The crackling fire, Jiffy…
“I never get a turn.” “My mom always gets me here late.” “No one ever wants to play the game I want to play.” “I lose every time.” Does your child revert to absolutes…
Me: “Do the other kids like him?” Teacher: She hesitated and then said “no” with a heavy, sad sigh. This was part of a conversation I had with a wonderful…
Walk Strong. Talk Strong. How a person feels about his or her self is evident by the way he or she walks and talks publicly. Our bodies and voices are…
Our young friend James has a keen interest in and amazing knowledge about appliances – particularly washers and dryers. Many kids have a specialty with a particular topic – it’s what we call…
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Our hearts go out to the children who have the triple-sorry mantra as their “go-to” phrase when they think they have committed a social…
I gave my young friend Justice a compliment the other day when we were working on a jigsaw puzzle together. She replied with a comment to the effect of, “I’m…
Joey reaches in front of another child to grab a building block piece to the tune of, “Hey, give that back! I was using it!” Zoey wants a magic marker…
Jim: “Wanna come to my house? How about tomorrow?” Frank: “Um, I can’t tomorrow. I’m busy.” Jim: “How about the next day? Or the day after that? I’m around this…
“I can’t believe you still watch that baby show.” “You really listen to her music? She stinks!” “What is that weird stuff your mom put in your lunchbox?” These kind…
When coaching a child who expresses that he or she feels left out at recess, we suggest one simple change in the child’s approach to other children that may greatly…
Whenever we read about incidents of bullying in the media, we usually hear reference to peers being “upstanders’ or “bystanders.” The difference being that a bystander stands by and does…
Literally. I am sitting here thinking about greeting the New Year and ways that our books and our website can reach and teach more children who struggle with social skills…
Welcome to How to Make and Keep Friends! Many kids struggle with social nuances which can make it difficult for them to form lasting friendships. To help kids during those times,…
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