Middle School Age

Activity Group Descriptions These groups are for individuals with high verbal ability and limited behavior challenges. All 8-week groups begin July 6 and run through August 26, 2015. For additional information: summer@spectrapa.com. REGISTRATION LINK FOR ALL GROUPS: SPECTRAPA.EVENTBRITE.COM SUMMER SPECIAL (sign up by July 1): Entire Summer for $1000, unlimited programs!

Stand Up to Bullying GOAL: Offer concrete education about how to stay safe in environments when they are experiencing teasing or bullying $275 for 8 week session. Mondays at 5 PM Session Facilitator: Dan Rowan, M.S. Many students with social challenges are at higher risk for teasing and bullying. This group offers opportunities for participants the opportunity to learn about what teasing and bullying is, how to stay safe, and most importantly how to advocate for themselves in various situations and seek help when necessary.

Hanging Out, Making Plans & Going Out GOAL: Offer opportunity for structured learning around navigating social relationships $275 for 8 week session. Mondays at 6 PM (separate groups running simultaneously) Session Facilitator: Ryan Wexelblatt, LSW This group utilizes a social and executive function approach to teach social recreational skills. This group will teach the social and executive function skills required to learn how to make plans with peers, what to do when you hang out and understand the social nuances involved when spending time with peers out in the community. Opportunities to practice skills in natural environments are integrated into the experience.

Gaming Group GOAL: Offer social opportunities around shared interests $150 per session. Wednesdays at 2 PM Session Facilitator: Dan Rowan, MS This session offers individuals with social challenges the opportunity to enjoy time together with others who share their interest in gaming. While typically an individual activity, the group is facilitated and encourages cooperative game play and social interaction. This often builds the foundation for familiarity with peers that creates comfort in participating in the other social opportunities offered at the agency.

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Self-Advocacy Start-Up GOAL: Provide concrete foundation for learning how to self-advocate for needs based on disability $275 for 8 week session. Wednesdays at 3 PM Session Facilitator: Alli Domers, MSW This group utilizes an evidence-based self-advocacy curriculum to begin to teach participants about how to “scan the room” and recognize and self-monitor their needs, how to create social advocacy scripts to ask for accommodations, and simply how to be comfortable in when to “reveal” and when to “conceal” their disability.

Finding Focus/Feeling Fine GOAL: Offer concrete experiences in improving emotional regulation and executive functioning $275 for 8 week session. Wednesdays at 4 PM Session Facilitator: Alli Domers, MSW This group will offer participants the opportunity to learn the Zones of Regulation curriculum as an opportunity to gain language in expressing emotions as well as develop strategies for coping with each “zone.” In addition, the group will explore the impact that executive function challenges have on our emotions.

MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS 1 PM 2 PM Gaming Group 3 PM Self-Advocacy Start-Up 4 PM Finding Focus/Feeling Fine 5 PM Stand Up to Bullying 6 PM Hanging Out, Making Plans and

Going Out

7 PM