One of the reasons our groups are so successful is goodness of fit. For that reason, the process of finding the best group for you or your child your begins with an Intake Meeting in which we learn about you and answer any questions you might have. It is very important that we work together to place participants appropriately with others of compatible temperament and need.One should feel a sense of belonging in their group and have a good time! If we determine that one of our groups is not the best path then we work with you find a future group, or individual work right now that better meets your needs.
Typical group participants are socially interested but have difficulty making or maintaining friendships. Groups are for fully verbal individuals and not set up to manage major behavioral difficulties (aggression beyond age-typical stuff and running away are non-starters). For these reasons, most groups include participants with some combination of ADHD, autism, and/or anxiety, but no diagnosis is required to participate.
Group sessions follow a set format but the content of each group session varies depending on participants' needs. The list of potential topics is long, but we have certain "go-to" skills that we almost always cover, including active listening and conversation skills, nonverbal communication, social “mind-reading,” cooperation, sportsmanship, and “unwritten” (hidden) social rules.We present and engage these skills differently depending on participants’ developmental level. Each session builds on the last.
All fees--from intake through group session--are covered as out-of-network with private insurance companies and in-network with Medicaid (we cannot accept Tricare).