We
offer several types of
social groups through
our Play Partners programs.
These groups allow children
to generalize skills learned
in an individual therapy
setting to a social setting
with a peer or group of
peers. Based on your child's
strengths, areas of need
and prior group experiences;
our staff will make suggestions
about appropriate group
experiences available
to your child. For new
clients, 4 to 6 weeks
of individual therapy
with a facilitator is
recommended to ensure
an appropriate group recommendation
is given and this experience
allows your child a chance
to become comfortable
in our environment.
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Traditional Friendship
Group
Our traditional Friendship
Group is based on Stanley
Greenspan's Developmental
Intervention Differences
relationship-based model
("Floortime")
and designed for children
ages 4-12. A typical
session is divided into
three parts: spontaneous
or symbolic play, semi-structure,
and sensory-motor activities.
Children are facilitated
to sustain regulation
and engagement, to close
circles of communication,
to share ideas and create
logical sequences, and
to problem-solve through
a range of emotions.
We
offering three levels
of groups:
Level One to Three
A dyad for children
who have not yet solidified
the skills of sustained
regulation, engagement,
and verbal turn-taking.
This group is particularly
appropriate for older
children who have limited
social experiences.
The focus is on shred
activities to foster
attention to and engagement
with peers, as well
as closing circles of
communication whenever
optimal regulation and
engagement are present.
Level Four to Six
Usually conducted in
dyads for children who
have essentially mastered
the skills of self-regulation,
mutual engagement, and
opening and closing
circles of communication.
It is designed to facilitate
increasing numbers of
circles, to encourage
the sharing of ideas
and to introduce problem-solving.
Level Six
Ideally conducted in
"quads" for
children who have mastered
the skills of complex
communication, logical
sequences, and problem-solving.
It is designed to challenge
children to maintain
these skills through
a range if emotions,
not restricted to ideal
circumstances. In a
typical session, children
are facilitated to negotiate,
cooperate, and co-create
roles and activities.
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RDI Groups
We also offer groups that
focus on the principles
of Steven Gutstein's Relationship
Development Intervention.
We
offer each of the first
three levels:
Novice
Children learn to make
others the center of
their attention. Major
goals are: attunement/attending,
referencing, accepting/providing
guidance and regulation,
and coordination of
activities. At this
level, it is highly
recommended that children
simultaneously work
with an adult to learn
skills before practicing
with peers.
Apprentice
Introduces the student
to the responsibilities
of shared regulation
and communication repair.
Children also learn
to enjoy variation and
rapid transition. Major
goals are: variation,
adaptation, synchronization,
and caring for others.
In Level II, children
work in dyads.
Challenger
This level introduces
children to the enjoyment
of improvisation and
co-creation. In this
level, children experience
what it means to have
a "we-go",
a group ego that allows
us to accomplish things
we could never imagine
achieving on our own.
In Level II, children
begin working in small
groups. Major goals
are: collaboration,
co-creation, improvisation,
playmates, and conversation.
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Other Group Opportunitie
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Social-Motor
Group- Developing
regulation, and
cooperation throughout
a variety of motor
activities
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ALERT
Group- Activities
from "How
Does Your Engine
Run" to foster
regulation and
modulation
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Sensory Processing
Group- Guided exploration
of sensory modalities:
tactile, vestibular,
proprioceptive,
auditory, visual
and olfactory |
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PALS
group- Guided
play and language
stimulation for
0-6 year olds
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TALK
Group- Focus on
mild speech/language
and social skills
in a small group |
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Classroom
Buddies- Focusing
on learning in small
groups. |
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