FALL 2011 GROUP SCHEDULE

*All groups and times are pending and will run only if enough members are signed up for the group. Groups need at least five committed members to run. In an effort to maintain attendance and commitments in groups, Edgewood is requiring that ALL group members have a credit card on file for a security deposit of $100 (two session fees). The security deposit will only be collected if a client fails to attend by the 2nd session or terminates services prior to completing at least 2 sessions. If the group is not a good fit after 2 sessions, we will not charge your credit card and would be glad to assign you or your child to a more appropriate group if at all possible. Scheduling conflicts will not be considered reasonable excuses to avoid the $100 deposit collection.

If you cancel your participation in a group prior to two sessions having been attended or you do not show up with any notice to the group leader or our office, your credit card will be charged the $100 fee and may result in the inability to participate in future groups. If your child attends group regularly as planned your credit card will not be charged for any reason other than if you have opted to have a card on file to pay your session fees with Edgewood.

Below is the Fall Group Schedule. All groups start on the week of September 19th. Please call 630-428-7890 to enroll.

Naperville:

Monday

4:00 Kids Can Do! Social Skills for Boys, 1st through 5th grade

If your child is easily distracted and often impulsive we would love to have them join our social skills group Kids Can Do! Social skills are generally acquired through incidental learning: watching people, copying the behavior of others, practicing, and getting feedback. Impulsivity negatively affects social relationships because others may attribute impulsive words or actions to lack of caring or regard for others. Failure to stop and think first often has devastating social consequences. Social skills such as negotiating, accepting the choices of others, and complimenting others will be discussed as well as friendship skills, problem-solving skills, self-esteem, rule following, home behavior, and anger control. Led by Lauren McNamara, LSW.

5:00 I Am Who I Am Social Skills, Boys and Girls, 1st through 5th grade

This group was created with the sensitive/emotional child in mind. We will focus on:

Friendship management (cooperative play, getting along with others)
Self awareness (recognizing and labeling one’s emotions, body language, defining personal strengths and interests)
Social awareness (social cues, norms, and impact of behavior on others)
Conversational skills (personal boundaries, reciprocal communication)

Tuesday

4:00 Girls Only! Social Skills, Girls, 5th through 6th grade

Being a girl is tough! Making and keeping girlfriends is even harder. This group is designed to help girls learn more about friendships, social cues and other much needed skills to help them have a successful school year, build confidence and make good friendship choices. Led by Lauren McNamara, LSW.

5:00 Girls Only! Social Skills, Girls, 1st through 4th grade

Wednesday

4:00 Superflex Social Skills, Boys, Kindergarten through 3rd grade

This group is designed to teach kindergarten-3rd grade boys how they can use strategies to conquer their own, not quite so flexible “Team of Unthinkables”. Through a humorous and delightful comic book, boys are encouraged to think about thinking and what they can do to self-regulate some of their own wayward thoughts and behaviors. Led by Lauren McNamara, LSW.

5:00 SibShop, Boys and Girls, 1st through 5th grade

We believe that disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members. Consequently, we want to increase the peer support and opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs to enhance their understanding of sibling issues. This group is designed for kids with special needs siblings. Led by Lauren McNamara, LSW.

6:00 PARENT WORKSHOP: Parenting Difficult Teens, Oct. 5th through 26th

This four week workshop is designed for any parent or caregiver off teens and preteens. We will cover topics of communication, discipline, social pressures kids face today, understanding technology and the access your child has that you may not be aware of. Parents will be asked to complete a parenting style quiz to help understand what obstacles of peace you may be putting up in your relationship with your child. Parents will walk away from this workshop with a better grasp on their teen’s changing personality, insight to their own parenting style and new methods of communication with their teen. Presenter TBD.

Thursday

5:30 Boys Council, Social Skills, Boys, 6th through 8th grade

A strengths-based group approach to promote boys’ safe, strong and healthy passage through pre-teen and adolescent years. In this healthy and structured environment, boys gain the vital opportunity to address masculine definitions and behaviors and build their capacities to find their innate value and create good lives, individually and collectively! Boys will have fun identifying social-emotional messages, experiences, attitudes, and smart options for growing up male in our culture. Competition, bullying, recognizing and expressing emotions, male and female role expectations, self confidence, and teamwork are highlighted through games and team challenges. Boys develop vocabulary and skills to expect and enact fairness, healthy competition, and respect for self and others. Led by Steve Heuertz, LCSW.

6:30 PARENT WORKSHOP: Creating Discipline, Oct. 6th through 27th

Parents with young kids (4-12) will find the most use out of this four week group. We will be using the Parent Coach Plan to demonstrate how you can establish a foundation of consistency and structure for your child. You will gets hands on tools to take home that include behavior charts, contracts, and many, many tips on how to make them successful for your family. Presenter TBD.

Plainfield

Thursday

4:30 Girls Only! Social Skills, Girls, 1st through 5th grade

Saturday

12:00 Boys Spectrum, Boys, 11 to 14 years of age

This group is designed for boys who have been diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s or have a PDD NOS diagnosis. Boys who display characteristics of these disorders without a formal diagnosis will also be accepted if appropriate. Boys will learn strategies for interacting with classmates, family, friends, as well as bullies. Emphasis in the group will be on learning appropriate communications skills to facilitate positive relationships. Boys will learn how to read and interpret nonverbal cues and respond appropriately to social cues. They will learn how to initiate and maintain positive social interactions. The group will focus on recognizing and interpreting emotions including how to identify and manage their strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or low self-esteem. Led by Miriam Neugebauer, LCSW.

1:00 Boys Spectrum, Boys, 7 to 10 years of age

3:00 Girls & Boys Spectrum, 7-11 years of age

This group is designed for boys and girls who have been diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s or have a PDD NOS diagnosis. Children who display characteristics of these disorders without a formal diagnosis will also be accepted if appropriate. Members will learn strategies for interacting with classmates, family, friends, as well as bullies. Emphasis in the group will be on learning appropriate communications skills to facilitate positive relationships. Members will learn how to read and interpret nonverbal cues and respond appropriately to social cues. They will learn how to initiate and maintain positive social interactions. The group will focus on recognizing and interpreting emotions including how to identify and manage their strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or low self-esteem. Led by Miriam Neugebauer, LCSW.

Please call 630-428-7890 to enroll.