Social-Skills-Training-for-Autism

Helping you navigate the process

Social Skills Training for Autism

Social interaction can be one of the biggest challenges for children with autism, but it’s also a skill that can be taught and strengthened.

At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, our ABA therapy services help children develop communication, cooperation, and friendship skills through positive, engaging activities.

We offer flexible in-clinic ABA therapy and in-home ABA therapy options to meet every child where they learn best. Start your intake online.

Call 919-705-0668
Social-Skills-Training-for-Autism

Guiding you through every stage

Helping Children Build Confidence Through Connection

For many children with autism, challenges like limited eye contact, trouble with turn-taking, or difficulty interpreting emotions can lead to frustration or loneliness. The good news: these are learned skills, and with guidance, every child can grow socially.

Benefits of our social skills programs include:

  • Improved communication and understanding of emotions
  • Easier participation in group and classroom settings
  • Strengthened peer relationships and cooperation
  • Reduced anxiety and frustration in social environments
  • Greater self-confidence and emotional awareness

We help children build the tools they need to connect, belong, and thrive.




ABA social skills

Evidence-based strategies

How ABA Therapy Teaches Social Skills

Our autism therapeutic services use evidence-based ABA therapy for social skills that blend structure, practice, and fun.

  • Step 1: Assessment & Goal Setting

We identify your child’s unique strengths and social learning needs.

  • Step 2: Modeling & Reinforcement

Therapists use modeling, prompting, and positive reinforcement to teach social behaviors.

  • Step 3: Interactive Practice

Children participate in structured games, role-play, and peer-based activities in aba therapy group sessions.

  • Step 4: Parent Collaboration

Families receive aba parent training to reinforce social learning at home and in the community.

Progress is measurable, motivating, and built around each child’s natural curiosity and capacity for connection.

Ready to begin? Call 866-307-3199 for a consultation.

Tailored support for each individual

Who This Service Is For

Our social skills training for autism program supports children and teens ages 2–18 who want to build confidence and stronger peer relationships.

Ideal participants include:

  • Children struggling with conversation or cooperative play
  • Those who avoid or feel anxious in group situations
  • Students preparing for classroom or social transitions
  • Families looking for structured social practice and peer interaction

Every child deserves the confidence to connect. Social learning can begin today.

Cardinal's

Locations

Arizona

Clinic Address:

8433 N. Black Canyon
Highway, Phoenix AZ 85021

Community Services in: Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Avondale, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, & Buckeye.

Directions

Contact Center

See AZ Services

North Carolina

Clinic Addresses:

956 W. Chatham
St. Cary, NC 27511

3911 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington NC 28403

Community Services In: Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Morrisville, Clayton, Cleveland, Selma, Smithfield, Benson, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, High Point, Four Oaks, Wilmington & Wilson Mills.

Directions

Contact Center

See NC Services

Begin your journey with us

How to Get Started

Getting started is simple. Our intake team helps families understand coverage, complete paperwork, and schedule the first session.

  • Contact our intake team or submit the online form
  • Insurance benefits verified within 48 hours
  • Assessment scheduled with a BCBA
  • Therapy plan and schedule confirmed

Call 866-812-2030 today to begin your child’s personalized language and communication program.

Our Team and Provider Qualifications

Cardinal’s social skills programs are led by expert clinicians who specialize in child development and autism support.

  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
  • Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
  • Social Behavior and Play Specialists
  • Parent Coaching Coordinators

We combine professionalism and empathy to ensure meaningful, measurable social growth.

social-skills-autism

Understanding your coverage and costs

Insurance and Payment Options

We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible payment options. Our intake team is here to verify your benefits and help you navigate the process with ease.

"Alice, the chief of staff, is excellent. She answered many of my questions and concerns as a parent and has been a huge help in my son’s goals and programs. She clearly explained my son’s treatment plan and progress, and my son has already been improving within the first month." 
Cynthia
"We’ve been searching for ABA for a while, and then we found Cardinal ABA, who explained and processed our applications right away. Two weeks into ABA, we’ve already noticed improvements in our son. Thank you, Cardinal ABA."
Richard
"I’ve been calling around for weeks now looking for the right clinic, and Cardinal was the first place that really took the time to understand my family’s situation and educate me as to what services are available and how everything works. It is really evident that this is a place that cares."
Garret
"Cardinal ABA is a great organization. I couldn’t ask for better ABA resources!"
Shelby

Questions? Get in Touch!

We're here to help

Service Needs(Required)
Diagnosis(Required)
Consent(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Dr. Mike Henderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Regional Operations Director

North Carolina

Mike Henderson, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is the Regional Operations Director at Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and organizational leadership, he focuses on mentoring teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and excellence in client care. Mike believes strong leadership and supportive systems are essential for helping clients, families, and providers succeed together.

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.