Skip to main content

Help us celebrate 50 years of the Semel Institute. Learn more

Research Program

Parenting & Children’s Friendship Program

Leadership

Shilpa Baweja, PhD
Director

About

This program offers evidence-based group interventions that help children develop stronger social skills and teach parents strategies to support their children’s peer relationships. Designed for children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and social challenges, the program focuses on improving communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Parents and children attend sessions together, practicing skills in real-time and receiving feedback from trained clinicians. The program has been adopted internationally and is considered a model for social skills training. Its mission is to help families foster healthy friendships and emotional growth.