--- title: "Beyond Board Games: Redesigning Social Skills Groups in ABA with Lee Courrau" description: Rethink social skills in ABA. Lee Courrau shares practical ways to build engaging, effective groups that truly support learners. image: https://www.sidekicklearning.net/hubfs/TEMPLATE%20Hubspot%20Banner%20(2).png --- [![Sidekick Learning](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/hubfs/Full%20logo-1.png)](https://www.sidekicklearning.net) - [PLATFORM](https://www.sidekicklearning.net) ## [Our Platform Everything in one platform for one predictable price. ](https://www.sidekicklearning.net) ### [Supervision Curriculum Comprehensive, competency-based learning with direct access for your trainees. ](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/aba-supervision-curriculum) ### [CEUs & PDUs Our growing library of ACE approved CEUs and PDUs focus on practical, actionable topics.](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/continuing-education) ### [Exam Prep](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/exam) With built-in study tools and competency-tracking, trainees will be ready for the Big Exam.  ### [40-Hour RBT Training](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/rbt) Save time and empower your technicians with high quality training ### 8-Hour Supervision Training 9.5 CEUs, actionable templates, and guidance from seasoned supervisors to set the foundation for your new supervisors.  ### Role-Based Competency Tracking Track competency development across your organization, visualize your staff skills across the organization, and upskill your staff. - [ABOUT](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/about) - RESOURCES ## Resources We love sharing knowledge and resources with our community.  ### [In the Field: The ABA Podcast Discussions focused on training, supervision, and learning in ABA.](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/podcast) ### [Blog Stay up-to-date with ideas, tips, and announcements.](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog) ### [Unrestricted Hours Guide Download our free resource with over 75 unrestricted hours ideas. ](https://www.academy.sidekicklearning.net/courses/30-unrestricted-hours-ideas-download) ### [Free CEUs Free supervision CEUs with downloadable resources for application.](https://www.academy.sidekicklearning.net/collections/free?page=2) ### [Knowledge Base Learn how to use our platform and receive support. ](https://doc.clickup.com/9014009552/d/h/8cmdqpg-32954/29e6b6f934769c2) ### [6th Edition Crosswalk A guide to the updates and changes in the 6th Edition.](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/6th-edition-crosswalk) [Book a Demo](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/demo) [Log In](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/login) Podcast # Beyond Board Games: Redesigning Social Skills Groups in ABA with Lee Courrau Rethink social skills in ABA. Lee Courrau shares practical ways to build engaging, effective groups that truly support learners. [Sidekick Learning](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog/author/sidekick-learning) Aug 27, 2025 --- # Rethinking Social Skills Instruction in ABA: From Afterthought to Impact In ABA, social skills groups are often treated as an afterthought. Staff are told to “just wing it,” learners disengage, and meaningful outcomes are few and far between. In a recent episode of *In the Field: The ABA Podcast*, I spoke with **Lee Courrau**, behavior analyst and founder of Launch Kids Academy, about how we can redesign social skills instruction to be structured, fun, and impactful. Lee’s journey from RBT® to curriculum developer highlights why these groups matter and how we can do better.   --- ## Why Groups Fail Lee’s first introduction to a social skills group was typical: board games, a video game console, no plan, and no training. Within minutes, learners were frustrated, technicians were disengaged, and valuable time was lost. Too often, groups are: - **Under-resourced**—run with leftover hours and minimal planning. - **Under-trained**—facilitated by RBTs® without preparation or guidance. - **Under-valued**—dismissed as “extra,” rather than core to learner success. The result? Learners miss opportunities for independence, skills don’t generalize, and organizations lose both clinical and financial value. --- ## What Works Instead Lee has found that strong social skills programs are built on three pillars: 1. **Assessment and Readiness.** We need better ways to identify when learners are ready for groups and what they need to work on. 2. **Self-Advocacy.** Saying “I don’t want to” isn’t noncompliance—it’s communication. Groups should embed and honor learner choice. 3. **Play-Based, Engaging Activities.** Programs work best when built on what kids actually enjoy. Examples include: - Art projects that prompt sharing and requesting. - Cooking or making sandwiches, which naturally teach independence and cooperation. - A lemonade stand, where learners practice greetings, money skills, and real-world generalization. These activities create environments where learners are motivated, staff are engaged, and skills extend beyond the clinic. --- ## Structuring for Success To move beyond “winging it,” Lee built a framework that includes: - **Opening and closing meetings** with fun questions and reflection. - **Wave scheduling** that alternates high-energy activities with calmer ones like meditation or drawing. - **Staff huddles** to align and prepare before groups begin. - **Parent and learner input** to keep activities relevant and meaningful. This structure gives staff confidence and ensures groups run smoothly while staying flexible to individual needs. --- ## Training RBTs® Beyond the 40 Hours Social skills groups require skills that aren’t covered in the 40-hour RBT® training. Lee encourages organizations to: - Provide **role play and shadowing** opportunities with multiple learners. - Offer **ongoing training** on group dynamics, not just one-to-one programming. - Support RBTs® who show interest in group facilitation as a specialty area. Well-prepared staff are more engaged, and learners benefit from consistency and creativity. --- ## Tools for Providers To help organizations implement better programming, Lee created two resources: - **A Social Skills Curriculum** that includes ready-to-use activities, modifications for different learner levels, and programming notes for BCBAs®. - **A Social Skills Group Audit** to evaluate current groups, identify staff and learner needs, and ensure programs are effective and scalable. Both tools reduce the burden on supervisors while raising the quality of services provided. --- ## Key Takeaways - Social skills groups are too important to leave as an afterthought. - Structure creates space for fun, choice, and learner engagement. - Training and supporting RBTs® is essential for group success. - Tools like curricula and audits can help organizations improve quality and consistency. --- ## Connect with Lee Courrau - Website: [Launch Kids Academy](https://www.launchkidsacademy.com/) - LinkedIn: [Lee Courrau](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecourrau/) --- ## Keep the Conversation Going Social skills instruction can be one of the most impactful parts of ABA when it’s designed with intention. To learn more, listen to the full episode with Lee Courrau on *In the Field: The ABA Podcast*, and visit [Sidekick Learning](https://www.sidekicklearning.net) for resources on training, supervision, and professional development. [Podcast](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog/tag/podcast) ## Similar posts Podcast ### [Building Ethical, Sustainable ABA Businesses with April & Stephen Smith](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog/building-ethical-sustainable-aba-businesses-with-april-stephen-smith) Learn how to spot red flags, support staff, and build ethical ABA businesses with systems that scale—featuring April and Stephen Smith. Sidekick Learning Aug 18, 2025 Podcast ### [Bridging the Gap Between BCBAs and SLPs: A Conversation with Rose Griffin](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog/bridging-the-gap-between-bcbas-and-slps-a-conversation-with-rose-griffin) Discover how BCBAs and SLPs can break down silos and collaborate effectively. Rose Griffin—dually certified in both fields—shares practical tools,... Sidekick Learning Jun 5, 2025 Podcast ### [Building a Referral Network That Actually Works: ABA Marketing and Care Collaboration with Matt Harrington](https://www.sidekicklearning.net/blog/aba-marketing-referral-network-care-collaboration-matt-harrington) Matt Harrington shares how ABA providers can build referral networks, improve care collaboration, and grow sustainably through quality-first... 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