ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development - Long Island, NY
Summer 2015 Group Programming 
for Youth at ASPIRE Center
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Registration is NOW OPEN:
Scroll down for program descriptions, start dates, and links to ONLINE registration forms.
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Co-Ed Early Learners Circle

Approximate age range: 4-6 years
Tuesdays 5:00-5:45 PM
Begins July 14, 2015


EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK HERE SCREENER REQUEST

 
This group will focus on developing foundational peer social skills through the use of a fun and engaging multi-sensory approach, including interactive play with toys, puppets and crafts, and book reading. The aim of this group is to develop skills to participate and engage while in a small group setting; appropriately participate in structured and semi-structured group activities; and develop effective social communication. Target skills include sharing and turn- taking, cooperative play, simple conversations, and shared emotions. 

Participants who would benefit most are between the ages of 4-6 years and able to communicate verbally (short sentences), yet have difficulties with peer interactions, non-verbal communication, and overall play skills. Group may be broken into dyads or triads based on goals, abilities, and fit.

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Boys-Only Buddies Club
Approximate age range: 7-10 years
Mondays 6:00-7:00 PM
Begins July 13, 2015


EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK HERE SCREENER REQUEST

 
The Buddies Club is tailored to meet the needs required for navigating the social world as an elementary-aged boy. The structure of this social coping group is geared towards boys who are conversationally verbal but struggle with more complex socialization. A highly individualized approach is constructed based on participants' growth areas, but concepts targeted often encompass social cue detection and interpretation, behavioral regulation, cognitive flexibility, and the process of establishing and maintaining friendships. Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum is integrated with evidence-based psychotherapy approaches (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to promote ongoing progress.

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Girls-Only Friendship Circle
Approximate age range: 8-11 years
Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 PM
Begins July 15, 2015


EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

As girls progress through their elementary school years, even those who are bright, talented, and friendly often encounter new challenges in developing and understanding interpersonal relationships. The Girls-Only Friendship Circle provides a supportive forum for girls to practice strategies for day-to-day management of their increasingly complicated social environment, as well as develop coping skills and self-awareness. Curriculum is modified for each group cycle in order to promote the specific members' strengths while addressing difficulties; however, the use of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) underlies all activities. Although the range of topics covered varies each cycle, areas of emphasis have frequently included detecting nonverbal cues, incorporating flexibility, showing interest, and expressing emotions.

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Friendship & Feelings Club 
for Tween Boys
Approximate age range: 10-13 years
Tuesdays 6:00-7:00 PM
Begins July 14, 2015

EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

The Friendship & Feelings Club for Tween Boys provides an opportunity for supported socialization while learning crucial skills for managing the growing challenges of early adolescence. Ideal group members are able to participate in reciprocal conversation but may struggle to sustain interactions, working cooperatively with others, monitor information shared with others, and appreciate interpersonal similarities and differences. Goals are driven by strengths and needs of each group member, and interest-based activities incorporate multi-sensory strategies in order to ensure that fun is part of the mix!

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Friendship & Feelings Club 
for Tween Girls
Approximate age range: 11-14 years
Thursday Evenings 6:00-7:00 PM
Begins July 16, 2015


EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

We know that girls' social needs during the pre-teen period are unique and complex! The aim of this group is to provide girls who maintain reciprocal conversation, but continue to struggle socially, with new opportunities for skill development and generalization. Areas of focus during the course of the cycle are built around the particular growth areas for each group member but may include: friendship-building, navigating dynamics at school, sustaining complex conversations, understanding social safety, and improving self-esteem.

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Teen Girl-Talk Group
Approximate age range: 13-16 years old
Wednesday Evenings 7:15-8:15 PM
Begins July 15, 2015


EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

This group is for young teen girls (approximately 13-15 years old) who want a girls-only group in which they can talk about the issues they experience as they enter adolescence. The aim of this group is to provide girls who maintain reciprocal conversation, but continue to struggle socially, with new opportunities for skill development and generalization, and a chance to talk about being a teen girl. Areas of focus during the course of the cycle are built around the particular growth areas for each group member but may include: friendship-building, navigating dynamics at school, sustaining complex conversations, understanding social safety, and improving self-esteem.

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Teen Talk Coed Group 
Approximate age range: 14-18 years old
Tuesdays 7:15-8:15 PM
Begins July 14, 2015

EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

This group is geared towards teens who attend high school and can use a "boost" in social navigation during the sticky mid-to-late adolescent years. Participants who will benefit from this group are those who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation but may encounter challenges during interpersonal interactions or struggle to cope with complexities of maintaining relationships, developing age-appropriate independence skills, and dealing with a wide range of emotional experiences. Group curriculum is individualized to most effectively address members' areas of growth and learning; however, topics that have been previously discussed include engagement in balanced conversation, decoding cues in nonverbal and electronic communication, recognizing personal strengths and difficulties, and distinguishing platonic and romantic relationship characteristics.

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Steps to Independence:
Co-Ed Life Skills Group
Approximate age range: 15-19 years old
Monday Evenings 5:00-6:30 PM
Begins July 20, 2015

EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
NEW CLIENTS: CLICK FOR SCREENER REQUEST

Independent living skills are essential for facilitating teens' smooth transition as they approach young adulthood. This group is geared towards late adolescents (approximately 15-19 years old) and will be individualized based on participants' goals. Some skills that may be covered include: Personal Safety, Meal Preparation, Care for Living Space, and Navigating Community Resources. Skill-based instruction will be formatted as hand-on activities to encourage participation (and even fun!).

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ATTENTION NEW CLIENTS:
SCHEDULE A SCREENER APPOINTMENT TODAY!!!


We are committed to ensuring that groups are a strong match for each member and, therefore, have implemented a brief screening process for all new participants. Prior to enrollment, a member of our clinical team will collect initial information and conduct a 30-minute meeting with you and your child to assess fit based on your child's strengths and goals. 

You may arrange for a screener by completing a screener request form (click here). 
Alternately, you may contact ASPIRE Center directly by phone at (631) 923-0923 or 
via email at info@aspirecenterforlearning.com.