Our agency works with kids with ADHD, LD, Mental Illness, etc. We are starting a new group after school with 9th and 10th graders. Our groups have traditionally been with elementary and middle school-age kids and they have been great - but we are stumped on activities for high school age kids! Any ideas?
Re: Social Skills groups
I am a high school PE teacher - even though the high school age kids continue to balk at organized sports during the school day - the drive of competition and group activities still intriques them. The trick is to make them think THEY are the team - building group membership. Also - try to find other groups to compete against in activities they like that focuses the competition on “who has the best sportsmanship” or “who supports the other team members the most”. One great idea for teens is to get them involved in helping others - mentoring little kids, or going to a nursing home, or tutoring services. They love that. Good luck!
Re: Social Skills groups
Dear Jenny - I currently operate a program that counsels teens after school, and it has been successful for 4 years now. It was difficult getting started, and even more difficult as we cycle kids in and out of the program as their needs increase or decrease. We do provide a level of structure to the group: setting up standard routines for what we do when we arrive and how we start, so the kids know what to expect, and that provides them with a sense of comfort and eases them into the group. We post these routines and go over them in every session. We sit facing each other in chairs or at a table and have “Dig Sessions” where we share problems, issues at school, politics, things that are unfair, problems at home and just talk. The counselors also are prepared with a therapeutic or recreational activity in every session in case the Dig Sessions lag. These activities are meant to build relationships - point out similarities in each other and value differences. All of the kids have ED or LD diagnosis or have been labeled “at -risk ” by the school. One thing we have had to overcome is the stigma by other kids that the group is for the losers. We have worked with teh school to bring other kids into the group as part of their athletic requirements and academic expectations - the original idea of referring after three disciplinary actions has been dropped to further avoid that problem and we now conduct monthly at risk meetings to identify kids who need the service through teachers or referrals. High school kids are a tough group = but they can be workable! Try some of these ideas and let me know how it goes.
Re: Social Skills groups
I am working with two 8th grade boys, both who are in need of participating in a social skills group. Where are you located? Is it possible for “outside” students to enrole in your group? I am located in Newburyport, Mass…if you know of any social skills groups around the North Shore area, i’d appreciate the referral!
Thanks for your time,
Mary Ellen Carlson
Re: Social Skills groups
I am working with two 8th grade boys, both who are in need of participating in a social skills group. Where are you located? Is it possible for “outside” students to enrole in your group? I am located in Newburyport, Mass…if you know of any social skills groups around the North Shore area, i’d appreciate the referral!
Thanks for your time,
Mary Ellen Carlson
Re: Social Skills groups
They love MTV. They could watch short clips. They love listening to music although they argue about music. Some of them like cartoons.
There are some card games I see the 9th/10th graders playing at my school one of which is poker which they seem to enjoy a lot and they ‘bet’ M&Ms.
Re: Social Skills groups
I live in the Princeton, NJ area. I am looking for a social skills group for my 10 year old LD/ADHD girl. Can anyone give me suggestions on where I can find something? Thanks!
Re: Social Skills groups
Jenny,
I am very new at all of this and cannot offer any help. However, I did read responses to your request. My own situation is that of nine male BED, self-contained students and in desparate need of a social skills groups. Problem is, know where in the IEP has it been documented that social skills is an issue. I know that I have not asked a question yet but felt a need to respond. I am in the state of North Carolina.
check out Michelle Winner’s books www.socialthinking.com Her books are oriented for older kids and adults with Asperger’s, Non verbal learning disorder, etc, but she has a wonderful set of activities to talk about social situations.