Social Skills
Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders has been changing lives since 1996.
Frequently, children and teens with neurological disorders have difficulty interacting with their peers. Social skills are ways of dealing with others that create healthy and positive interactions. Children who have good social skills can communicate clearly, calmly, and respectfully. They show consideration for the feelings and interests of their peers. They take responsibility for their actions, are able to control themselves, and are able to assert themselves when needed.
It is important for children to learn appropriate social skills because they are the route to creating and developing relationships. They are needed for enriching social experiences, and they lessen the chance for negative interactions. Being the building blocks for friendships, social skills classes give children the chance to learn from their peers and learn how to be considerate with those they meet in the future. By having a positive impact on life experiences, social skills classes also give children a sense of confidence and mastery over their environment.
The Joshua Center is offering opportunities for these kids to have fun hands-on activities with kids their age while learning social skills.
Developed through years of experience, the Me and My World Social Skills Game Boards and Curriculum address social situations in a way children with neurological disorders understand, giving them the skills they need to be successful at home, at school, and in the community.
The Joshua Center specializes in treating kids with Tourette, OCD, Anxiety, High Functioning Autism and ADHD. We offer classes at the Joshua Center, Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs, Faith Journey Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, New Beginnings Church in Lee’s Summit, Shoal Creek Community Church in Pleasant Valley, Grace United Methodist Church in Oak Grove, Crosspoint Church in St. Louis, and First Christian Church in St. Joe. Our classes are arranged by grade levels and will meet on the first and third Saturdays (Pleasant Valley, Oak Grove, Blue Springs, Olathe, St. Louis) or the second and fourth Saturdays (Joshua Center, Lee’s Summit, Sedalia, St. Joe). Our Me and My World Social Skills Board Games and Curriculum have over 70 different topics. Over 100 local schools are using the program. Look under Me and My World to see all the topics. These kids are the best teachers in the world. You provide detailed information about your child that is shared with the teachers. Each class always has two teachers. Classes at all locations last for 1 hour with the younger kids starting first at 9am. After registering, parents will be notified by email when their child’s class starts.
We let the teachers decide on which lessons to teach based on the information parents provide in the profile and what they see in class. Attendance consistency is what makes the biggest difference. We will send a reminder email the Sunday before class and ask parents to let us know by Wednesday if their child will be attending.
Each session will address one social skill objective. Our goal is to help the kids develop self-esteem, improve relationships and foster good communication skills.
Costs: Classes are $40.00 each time the student attends.
LOCATIONS
Blue Springs
Social Skills classes meet at Timothy Lutheran Church on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 301 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Enter the building through the doors facing west, marked “Family Life Center”. The class is upstairs in Room 502. Parents are required to take their child in and sign them in. There is a place for parents to meet.
Joshua Center
Social Skills classes meet at Joshua Center (on 2nd and 4th Saturdays) at 1010 Carondelet Drive, Suite 120, Kansas City, MO 64114. Parents are required to take their child in and sign them in. You will wait in the waiting room for the teachers to come get your child.
Lee's Summit
Social Skills classes meet at New Beginnings Church at 214 NE Chipman Road, Lee’s Summit MO 64081 on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Here is the outside of the church. Enter where the red arrow is and go right to the purple room. With COVID-19 we are having parents meet the teachers at the entry door of the building and the parents will wait in their cars. They will bring them out after the class. Kids are required to wear masks. Also, we do not let the kids go to the bathroom during class so make sure they go before the come. Daphne Mack’s number is 417-773-2110.
Olathe
Pleasant Valley
Social Skills classes meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays at Shoal Creek Community Church, 6816 Church Rd., Pleasant Valley, MO 64068, just north of QuikTrip near the intersection of I-35 and Pleasant Valley Road. If traveling southbound on I-35, take exit #14. If traveling northbound on I-35 take exit #13. Parents are required to take their child in and sign them in. The students and parents are to enter in the front doors, which are located on the east side (left side as you are facing the church). There is a long sidewalk going to the doorway and there are double doors. Once in the building, you will go to the left at the first hallway. There will be a sign on the door of the room we are using. Parents will meet across the hall from where the kids are meeting.
St. Joe
Social Skills classes meet at First Christian Church that meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 927 Faraon, St. Joseph, MO 64501. Parents are required to take their child in and sign them in. The students and parents are to enter in the front doors, which are located on the south side of the building. You will go to the left at the first hallway. There will be a sign on the door of the room we are using.
Click the Information Sheet
below for a printable copy.
Click the Calendar for a printable copy.
Class Calendar 2024
Parent Testimonials
This has been such a great class for him. Especially with the hybrid school and transition into middle school.
So grateful for all that you do and grateful for the Joshua Center. I remember so clearly the first time I talked with you, it was my first time reaching out to the Joshua Center and you answered the phone. I remember it was a Friday afternoon and I was a desperate mom, desperately looking for help for my often misunderstood son. You made me feel like I was talking to a friend. I knew right away I found a place that understood autism and would provide an understanding atmosphere for my son. I have been extremely grateful for the counseling, the social skills classes, annual bowling events and the summer camps. Happy Anniversary Joshua Center, from an extremely grateful mom!
My son absolutely loving the classes and making new friends! It has been so great for him especially in this time of change! Thank you so much!
My son is starting to learn the other students names. I am hoping he can make a lifelong close friend. Happy Anniversary I thank God for this opportunity you are giving to us parents and our kids.
We are very grateful for these classes and what they have done for our son. Thank you!
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for these kids!!! Because of the Joshua Center, and their many services, my son has hope and is finding social companionship. Without the vision of Becky Ottinger we would have been floating. My son has literally grown up with the Joshua Center for the last 14 years. I cannot begin to list the benefits he’s gotten from Social Skills Classes, Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and of course – Camp! And to be able to talk with people that understand, welcome, and truly like your child is priceless!
Thanks for all you do for our kids Becky. We’re so glad we found the Joshua Center!! And thanks to Sarah for all her hard work too.
Congrats on your anniversary. Riker’s skills are growing quite a bit because of you!