The Friends Program Groups
∙ September 12, 2023 through May 14, 2024∙
The Friends Program is a therapeutic group program designed to address the developing needs of children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders from third grade through middle school, and their parents. Many of these children initially presented with ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression which they may continue to have with ASD.
Coping and Thriving During Times of Frequent Changes.
Our focus is the relational world of kids on the Spectrum, helping them learn more about their own
strengths and challenges, how to navigate their social world of school, friends, and activities after spending a time over the last few years in virtual school, play dates, YouTubes, and Video Games.
We work on Putting Words into Action.
Coping and Thriving During Times of Frequent Changes.
Our focus is the relational world of kids on the Spectrum, helping them learn more about their own
strengths and challenges, how to navigate their social world of school, friends, and activities after spending a time over the last few years in virtual school, play dates, YouTubes, and Video Games.
We work on Putting Words into Action.
Communication activities, group art projects, stories, and games are utilized as a way of exploring, practicing, and understanding feelings and behavior and sensory issues. Key to this is:
Groups
The 2nd – 5th Grade Group (Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15 pm) The group begins Tuesday September 12, 2023.
The Parents School Age Group meets at the same time as the 2nd – 5th grade group. It provides a time to discuss current
challenges and get support from Dr. Laurie and fellow parents.
The Middle / High School Group will begin this year as a Virtual Parents Support Group. This group will meet virtually on Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. The start date for this group is TBD.
Cost
The 75-minute school age groups are $165 per session for the child and parent(s) combined. Parents are billed monthly.
The cost of the Parents' Support groups are $100 per sesson and they are billed monthly.
Location
As do our schools we feel that in-person services for the children are more effective than online. Our program includes social activities both inside and outside. Snacks will be in individual bags. Based on the current COVID cases we are not requiring masks. We will adjust our protocol as needed.
To Sign Up
Go to the Intake Forms page.
Download & complete the Friends Program Consent Form.
If you are a new client, fill out the Children's Intake Form.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer at dr.laurielb@gmail.com or 650-322-4431 or Alice Locke-Chezar LMFT/ATR at Alice@paloaltoparenting.com or 650-224-2849.
- Understanding and integrating perspective taking into the children’s social behavior.
- Learning to recognize how they and others feel.
- Understanding how they and others show their feelings.
- Exploring how others interpret their feelings and actions.
- How they interpret the feelings of others in person, literature, and virtually — e.g., the social circle and empathy.
Groups
The 2nd – 5th Grade Group (Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15 pm) The group begins Tuesday September 12, 2023.
The Parents School Age Group meets at the same time as the 2nd – 5th grade group. It provides a time to discuss current
challenges and get support from Dr. Laurie and fellow parents.
The Middle / High School Group will begin this year as a Virtual Parents Support Group. This group will meet virtually on Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. The start date for this group is TBD.
Cost
The 75-minute school age groups are $165 per session for the child and parent(s) combined. Parents are billed monthly.
The cost of the Parents' Support groups are $100 per sesson and they are billed monthly.
Location
As do our schools we feel that in-person services for the children are more effective than online. Our program includes social activities both inside and outside. Snacks will be in individual bags. Based on the current COVID cases we are not requiring masks. We will adjust our protocol as needed.
To Sign Up
Go to the Intake Forms page.
Download & complete the Friends Program Consent Form.
If you are a new client, fill out the Children's Intake Form.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Laurie Leventhal-Belfer at dr.laurielb@gmail.com or 650-322-4431 or Alice Locke-Chezar LMFT/ATR at Alice@paloaltoparenting.com or 650-224-2849.