Play, connection, communication, and confidence
Summer Social Skills Groups for Kids in Seattle
Your child deserves a summer space where they can make friends, practice communication, and feel comfortable being themselves.
Swanson Speech Therapy’s Summer Social Programs are small, SLP-led groups designed for children of all neurotypes who are seeking peer connection, joy, emotional awareness, and stronger social communication skills.
There is no pressure to perform. No expectation to “fit in.” Just a welcoming place to play, connect, build confidence, and practice skills that matter in real life.
- In-Person Summer Programs Conveniently Located in Ballard, Seattle
Why Families Love Our Summer Social Programs
Summer can be a difficult time for children who struggle with communication, social confidence, emotional regulation, or connecting with peers.
School routines disappear. Familiar supports may pause. Social opportunities can feel unpredictable or overwhelming.
Our summer groups give children a consistent, structured place to practice being part of a group while still having fun.
Each session is led by a speech-language pathologist and intentionally designed to support:
Making and maintaining peer connections
Building social confidence
Communicating during real life play and group activities
Taking turns, sharing, and joining play
Understanding emotions in themselves and others
Feeling successful around other children
Expressing wants, needs, and feelings
Practicing self advocacy and problem-solving
Your child won’t just practice communication skills. They’ll get to use them with other children in real moments of play, conversation, and connection.
Choose the Right Group for Your Child
Program length: Five week summer sessions
Group size: One speech language pathologist for every four children
Cost: $625 per child, per five week block
Block One: June 22 through July 20
Block Two: July 27 through August 24
Connect & Play
For children ages 4–5
A playful, supportive group for younger children who are still learning how to join in, communicate with peers, share space, and build early social connection.
Through guided play, movement, games, and child-led activities, children will have opportunities to practice communication in a setting that feels fun, not clinical.
Program Details
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- 4:1 child-to-SLP ratio
- In-person in Ballard
Stretch & Connect
For children ages 6–9
A social group for school-age children who would benefit from more support navigating friendships, conversations, emotions, and group activities.
Children will have opportunities for connecting with peers, building confidence in social situations, communicating their ideas, and learning strategies they can use at school, home, camp, and beyond.
Program Details
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- 4:1 child-to-SLP ratio
- In-person in Ballard
Is This Program Right for My Child?
Our summer social groups may be a great fit for children who:
Have trouble joining in with other kids
Need more confidence in group settings
Have difficulty sharing, taking turns, or reading social cues
See a school-based SLP and would benefit from extra support during summer
Benefit from structure during playdates, camps, or group activities
Need support expressing emotions, wants, or needs
Struggle to start or continue conversations
Have speech or language differences that affect peer connection
Are autistic, neurodivergent, late talkers, or developing social communication skills
Would thrive in a small, supportive group with other children
Small Groups Create More Meaningful Support
A large camp or busy classroom isn’t always the right fit for every child.
Our small group format gives children room to participate without getting lost in the crowd. It also allows our speech language pathologists to provide meaningful guidance, encouragement, and support throughout each session.
Your child gets the chance to build real peer connection while still receiving individual attention when they need it.
Is a summer Social Group or Individual Speech Therapy Right for My Child?
Our Summer Social Programs are designed for children who would benefit from practicing communication, emotional awareness, flexible thinking, and peer connection in a small group setting.
A summer social group may be a great fit when your child is ready to practice skills alongside other children and would benefit from support with friendships, play, conversations, confidence, and group participation.
Individual speech therapy may be a better fit when your child needs focused support with speech sounds, articulation, stuttering, language development, AAC, early communication, or another specific speech and language goal.
Looking for Summer Speech Therapy in Seattle?
Many families find this page while researching summer speech therapy for a child with speech problems, language delays, stuttering, social communication challenges, AAC needs, or difficulty being understood.
Our Summer Social Programs focus on peer interaction, emotional awareness, confidence, and real world communication practice.
For children who need more individualized support, Swanson Speech Therapy also offers summer speech therapy in Ballard and virtual speech therapy throughout Washington.
What Parents Are Saying
– Andrea Neiswender
“Swanson Speech Therapy is fantastic! My son’s improvement was night and day. He went from being barely understandable at age 4, to speaking clearly and age appropriately by 5! The teachers are super supportive and make learning a fun environment.”
– Samantha Bowerman
“We had a fantastic experience with Swanson Speech Therapy for my daughter. The location was convenient and very comfortable and quiet. We could not have been more happy with the time we spent with Swanson Speech Therapy!”
– Amy Betz
Virtual Summer Speech Therapy
Virtual speech sessions can be especially helpful during summer when families are traveling, managing changing schedules, or trying to fit therapy around camps, childcare, and vacations.
Speech Therapy FAQ's
Does my child need to be in speech therapy already?
No. Your child doesn’t need to be a current Swanson Speech Therapy client to join a Summer Social Program.
These groups are for children who could benefit from support with peer connection, social communication, emotional awareness, confidence, or group participation.
Are these groups only for autistic children?
No. Children of every neurotype are welcome.
Our programs are designed for children who may need more support with communication, play, friendships, emotions, confidence, or connecting with peers.
What will my child do during the group?
Children participate in guided play, movement, games, conversations, creative activities, and peer interaction.
Every activity is designed to feel fun while helping children practice communication and social connection.
Can a child who sees a school speech therapist attend?
Yes. Summer groups can be a great way for children to keep practicing communication and social skills while school based services are paused.
Can my child attend both summer blocks?
Yes. Many families choose both blocks so their child has more time to build comfort, confidence, and connection with peers.
Do you offer individual summer speech therapy?
Yes. Swanson Speech Therapy offers individual summer speech therapy in Ballard and virtual appointments throughout Washington.
Where are the groups held?
Groups are held in person at Swanson Speech Therapy at 7710 18th Ave NW in Ballard, Seattle.
How do we sign up?
Click the registration button below or use this registration form:
Give Your Child a Summer of Confidence and Connection
Your child doesn’t need another activity that feels like work.
They need a place where they can play, connect, communicate, and feel good about being themselves.
Spaces are limited to keep groups small and supportive.
