Jr. PALS is a play based program designed for children aged 3 - 6 years of age to enhance their social skills development. Fun and developmentally appropriate activities and experiences are provided to help build and strengthen positive and successful social relationships in a safe, supportive group environment. Parents are provided with information and follow up activities to help increase the relationship success and social skill development of their child.
The Jr. PALS program targets:
- mastery of basic social skills
- friendship development
- non-verbal and verbal communication skills
- social problem management
- emotional regulation and self control
- social self confidence
- parent education
- and more...
Topics presented in our curriculum include but are not limited to the following:
Sharing, Following Directions,Turn taking, Initiating Play, Basic Listening Skills, Eye Contact, Anger Management, Body Language, Joining Others in Play, Manners, Compromising, Tattling, Negotiating, Dealing with Teasing, Tone of Voice, Getting Attention in Positive Ways, Interrupting, Recognizing Feelings, Manners, Keeping Calm, Complimenting others, Perspective Taking, Play Dates, Problem Solving, Good Sportsmanship, Dealing with Mistakes, Dealing with Losing.
Parents are provided with activities and information each week to help reinforce the skills introduced during the group sessions. We strongly encourage families to commit to using the skills and information presented to help their child generalize the skills outside of the Jr. Pals environment and into the home, school and community. Opportunities for additional parent education will be offered throughout the year.
Jr. PALS provide services for children having general social skill difficulties as well as those exhibiting more significant social cognitive deficits including but not limited to being diagnosed with: ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome (AS), High Functioning Autism (HFA), Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD). It is our goal to provide an environment which encourages social skill growth and reinforces positive social developmental. Children are grouped according to age, developmental level, and to best meet the needs of each individual child. The Jr. Pals Program is not designed for or appropriate for children with severe emotional and/or developmental disorders. Children must have basic reciprocal language and verbal communication skills to benefit from these services.
An initial intake/consultation is required for all families interested in participating in the Jr. Pals program for a fee of $100. This is an opportunity to meet with the parents, discuss our program and observe each child. This is not a formal evaluation or assessment. The intake is required in order to determine the appropriateness of our program for each child and to assist in providing the optimum group placement. This is a non-refundable fee and is due at the time of intake either in cash, check, or credit card.
Additional information about the Jr. PALS program along with registration information and session schedules are available by contacting Dr. Theresa Johnstone. Group days and times are determined as demand dictates.
For additional information or to schedule an intake, please contact Dr. Kara Lemke at (925) 201-5460
