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The Academyof Physical and Social Development |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is The Academy the right place for my child? A: The purpose of our intake process is to find the right service for your child. This might result in a recommendation for a group, individual counseling or a parent consultation. If we feel your child could benefit from participation in a social skills group, we would then work to match him/her with similar aged children of congruent physical, developmental and emotional maturity. The ultimate goal of the initial interview is to determine which group will be most supportive and helpful for your child.
Q: How long will my child be in the program? How many children are in each group? Does the group membership stay the same all year? Will we know anyone? A: Behavioral changes occur through consistent attendance and repeated practice of appropriate and positive social skills. The maximum commitment to a group is 10 weeks, although the average length of participation is typically 1 to 2 years. Groups have between 2 and 7 group members and are generally consistent throughout the school year. We go to great lengths to preserve the privacy of your child; therefore we do not place children in groups with peers from their current school.
Q: Why type of approach does the Academy use? A: We operate from a strength-based orientation by emphasizing what your child already does well. Children will learn to communicate, problem-solve, negotiate and understand the cause and effect of their behavior by interacting with peers in a safe, facilitated therapeutic environment. The Academy uses a "learn-by-doing" approach in which children will build on social skills through the natural motivation of play and fun with peers.
Q: Should I stay in the waiting room? Can I observe? A: We encourage parents to use the session time in a way that makes sense for them – whether that be running errands or sitting in the waiting room working, reading or talking to other parents. In efforts to preserve the privacy and confidentiality of the group members, we do not permit parents or other clinicians to observe sessions. However, our staff is easily accessible via the phone or by setting up a parent conference to discuss details and individual progress.
Q: What time would my child's group start? A: Groups are conducted Monday through Friday during the afternoon hours. Our most typical group times are 2:30, 3:30, 5:00 and 6:20pm., although we stagger some group starting times to accommodate for space within our gym facility. The earlier time slots are most often reserved for Kindergarten children, whereas the later times often hold our middle school and high school students.
Q: Is there a waiting list to get in? A: No. Children may start within 1-2 weeks of their interview provided we have an appropriate group with open space that meets at a time the family can commit to.
Q: Can you describe a "typical" game? A: The Academy has numerous creative and unique games that help children to have fun while building self-esteem and improving their social skills. However, the games and activities we utilize are the "tools" that allow our staff to elicit and facilitate positive and appropriate interactions between group members. Our games encourage group members to communicate with each other, negotiate conflicts and support one another through frustrating, disappointing or exciting situations. The games allow our staff to work with behaviors and struggles that come up naturally in a peer environment while also providing us with the opportunity to label behaviors, encourage coping skills and help children better read and interpret non-verbal cues. Each session, Counselors carefully select activities that meet the needs and skill level of each group, while helping them to work on individual emotional and social challenges.
Q: How do I describe the Academy to my child? A: You can tell him/her that the Academy is a place to meet children, try new activities and learn new and different ways to make friends. If you have used specific language with your child in discussing what is hard for him/her, you should use the same language. For instance, "You know how we have talked about how it is difficult for you to go up to kids and make friends? Well, the Academy is a place that helps children learn how to do that, and best of all you get to play games while practicing."
Q: Is there much communication with the counselors? A: Yes. We encourage a great deal of both formal and informal communication. Throughout the school year you will receive feedback through parent conferences, written reports, parent open houses and may also sign waivers for us to speak with teachers or other professionals working with your child. Our staff is dedicated to staying connected to you and are readily available via our confidential voicemail system. Touch base with your counselor to determine the best way to receive feedback on your child's progress.
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