Where social skills mean connection, not compliance & scripting.

Finally, a Social Group That Feels Like Play (Because It Is)

Children playing together cooperatively in a sensory-friendly space

Many “social skills groups” feel like classrooms: scripted conversations, rote drills, rule-based interactions and forced eye contact. For neurodivergent kids, this often teaches masking, not connection.

At Yoli, we do things differently. Our East Bay Social Skills Group is a facilitated play space where children learn to navigate friendships authentically—through shared interests, collaborative play, and mutual respect. And above all, we do so at the child’s pace.

  • Authentic Connection: We don’t teach kids to “act neurotypical.” We help them find their tribe and communicate their needs.
  • Child-Led Themes: If the group loves trains, we build a transit system. If they love space, we become astronauts. Shared joy builds the strongest bonds.
  • Conflict Resolution: Disagreements happen. We guide children through real-time problem solving, teaching negotiation and perspective-taking in the moment.
Join the Group (Limited spots available for our upcoming cohort)

Why Families Choose Yoli

Traditional / For-Profit ABA The Yoli Way
Prioritizes billable hours over meaningful outcomes Prioritizes your child’s well-being — we’re a nonprofit, not driven by shareholder returns
High therapist caseloads (30+ clients per BCBA) lead to burnout and inconsistent care Low, manageable caseloads so your therapist can give focused, personalized attention
Compliance-focused: Teaching children to follow instructions and conform to social norms Autonomy-focused: Building independence, self-advocacy, and honoring neurodiversity
Curriculum-driven: One-size-fits-all programs Child-led learning: We follow your child’s interests (trains, art, space) to teach new skills
Table-time drills that can feel like work Play-based sessions where learning happens through joy
High staff turnover (the best clinicians leave or go out-of-network) Stable, passionate team — we retain top clinicians with competitive pay and healthy workloads
Leadership with little clinical expertise focused on growth and profits BCBA-led organization committed to clinical excellence and ethical practice
Families feel like customers in a transactional relationship Families become part of a supportive community with regular family gatherings

Who Is This Group For?

Our groups are designed for neurodivergent children (Autism, ADHD, Gifted/2e) in Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and surrounding East Bay areas who:

  • Want to make friends but struggle with the “how.”
  • Feel overwhelmed in large, unstructured school recesses.
  • Benefit from a smaller, sensory-aware environment.
  • Thrive when connecting over shared passions (LEGOs, Minecraft, art, science).

The “Anti-Drill” Approach

We believe social skills are about understanding others, not just performing for them.

  • Double Empathy: We teach that communication is a two-way street. We help kids understand neurotypical norms without enforcing them as the only “right” way to be.
  • Sensory Safety: A regulated child is a social child. Our clinic offers sensory swings, a trampoline, quiet corners, and fidgets to help kids stay regulated while they play.
  • Clinician-Led: Groups are facilitated by experienced behavior technicians and overseen by a BCBA, ensuring every child gets the support they need to succeed.

Logistics & Enrollment

  • Location: Yoli Center, 1057 Solano Ave, Albany, CA.
  • Format: Small groups (matched by age and communication style).
  • Commitment: Weekly sessions to build consistency and trust.

Ready to Find Their Tribe?

We are currently forming new cohorts. If you’re looking for a social skills group in the East Bay that honors your child’s unique way of connecting, we’d love to meet you.

Accessible Care for All Families

  • We accept most major insurance plans
  • Vendorized with the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), Alameda Alliance, and Partnership HealthPlan (PHC)
  • MediCal approved
  • We offer a sliding fee scale for families without insurance
  • We’re committed to never turning families away due to cost

Questions about coverage? We’ll help you navigate your benefits — just ask during your free consultation call.

Meet our Clinical Director (& Founder)

Laura Kliger

Hello. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an insatiable passion for child development and self-directed learning. I have been working in many settings (homes, schools, clinics and in the community) with children of all ages. I have been supporting parents, teachers, and therapists to better understand and manage behaviors. My passion is to help parents reclaim their role; to understand their child’s behavior and to make changes that allow the family to live in a more cohesive and symbiotic way.

– Laura Kliger, BCBA, MADS

What Happens After You Reach Out?

  1. 15-Minute Phone Call
    We’ll discuss your child’s needs and determine if Yoli is a good fit
  2. Initial Meeting (if we’re a match)
    Learn about our approach, ask questions, and meet our team
  3. Intake & Evaluation
    We observe your child and develop a personalized treatment plan
  4. Treatment Begins
    Play-based sessions at our Albany playspace or in the community, with parent involvement

No pressure at any step — we want to make sure Yoli is right for YOU.