Community Programs
What does it mean to be part of a community?
It’s building meaningful and lasting relationships and having the self-confidence to authentically navigate daily life. Every one of us deserves the chance to be an active and valued part of our community in a way that works best for us. Our community programs provide opportunities to develop positive self-identity, authentic relationships, and more in small group settings.
Groups are inclusive and age-matched. While designed and led by our therapists, our community clubs are NOT individualized therapy. They provide a safe environment and activities designed to explore social interaction, with a knowledgable professional ensuring the safety of participants. When needed, we also assist participants in navigating conflicts in respectful ways. However, groups do not include individualized goals, which would be best achieved in private therapy sessions. Our neuro-affirming group programs do NOT “teach” social skills. Rather, they provide opportunities to explore a variety of ways to interact with others while learning about boundaries, safety, and respect for differences. They provide an environment in which new friendships are created and our community is strengthened.
Groups are called “clubs” and feature rolling enrollment, with no set start/end dates. Register for one session to try it out, or register for a package of 5 sessions and pick the dates that work best for you.
What you need to know:
- Registration deadline for each week is 48 hours before the group time.
- Payment will be collected at the time of registration. If you need to cancel, you will receive a full refund if canceling 48 hours before that session, but no refund if canceling with less than 48 hours’ notice. Alternatively, you are able to reschedule for a different date at no cost.
- If there are not enough participants to hold a group by the registration deadline, we will notify anyone who has signed up for that date and they will be able to select a different week at no cost.
- There is no limit to how many sessions your child may register for, as long as they still meet the age criteria for the group. Limit of one package per child purchased at the sale price.
- In addition to groups for children, we have added a parent coaching group specifically designed to support parents of neurodivergent children.
We plan to add more groups to our schedule as time allows, and dependent on feedback from clients. Let us know if there is a group you’d like to see, or if you have questions about the club format. To share your feedback, contact us.
Play Pals: Chickadees
Play is the number one job of children! These play groups include a combination of structured and unstructured play opportunities in small groups of peers. Led by an occupational therapist.
Ages: 3-4 years old
Group size: 3 children.
Program day and time: Thursdays 11am – 12 pm
Cost: Single session:$35
Package of 5 sessions:$150
Play Pals: Hummingbirds
Play is the number one job of children! These play groups include a combination of structured and unstructured play opportunities in small groups of peers. Led by an occupational therapist.
Ages: 4-5 years old
Group size: 3 children.
Program day and time: Tuesdays 5-6 pm
Cost: Single session:$35
Package of 5 sessions:$150
Play Pals: Owls
Play is the number one job of children! These play groups include a combination of structured and unstructured play opportunities in small groups of peers. Led by an occupational therapist.
Ages: 5-7 years old
Group size: 3 children.
Program day and time: Saturdays 10:30-11:30 am
Cost: Single session:$35
Package of 5 sessions:$150
Play Pals: Eagles
Play is the number one job of children! These play groups include a combination of structured and unstructured play opportunities in small groups of peers. Led by an occupational therapist.
Ages: 7-9 years old
Group size: 3 children.
Program day and time: Saturdays 9:00am – 10:00 am beginning January 6
Cost: Single session:$35
Package of 5 sessions:$150
Capability Club
This social opportunities group is designed specifically for ages 9-12 years. Using participant-led, unstructured activities, the program is designed to facilitate development in the areas of self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and meaningful social participation grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm. Emphasis will be on understanding a variety of communication styles. All are welcome; no diagnosis needed. Led by an autistic occupational therapist.
Ages: 9-12 years
Group Size: Up to 5 participants
Program days/times: Thursdays 5-6 pm
Cost: Single session:$30
Package of 5 sessions: $125
Neurodivergent Hangout
This social opportunities group is designed specifically for teens. Using participant-led, unstructured activities, the program is designed to facilitate development in the areas of self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and meaningful social participation grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm. Emphasis will be on understanding a variety of communication styles. No diagnosis needed, but group is designed for those who identify as neurodivergent. Led by an autistic occupational therapist.
Ages: 14-18 years
Group Size: Up to 5 participants
Program days/times: Monthly; Second Friday of the month at 6:30 pm
Cost: Single session:$30
Package of 5 sessions:$125
Parent Coaching Group
This one is for the grown-ups!
Wondering how you can best support your neurodivergent child?
This small group coaching program is designed specifically to support parents in applying affirming parenting strategies in the home. Limited to 5 participants and led by an autistic occupational therapist, each session will feature a Q & A component as well as planned topics based on questions submitted ahead of time. Example topics include developing regulation, managing conflicting sensory needs, navigating food selectivity, and more. Held over Zoom.
You do NOT need to have a child in therapy to attend; all parents or caregivers are welcome.
Ages: Parents of neurodivergent children of any age
Group size: up to 5
Program Days/Times: Twice each month: one Thursday 11 am – 12 pm; one Tuesday 6 – 7 pm
Cost: Free!
Ausomely Autistic: As this group has already been funded by grant funding, format has not changed
For autistic children who are in 3rd or 4th grade. Led by an autistic occupational therapist, this group is specifically designed to develop positive self-identity in autistic youth. The group will explore what it means to be autistic (use of identity-affirming rather than person-first language is intentional, as this is preferred by the majority of the autistic community). We will explore sensory and communication differences, regulation and coping strategies, and more. We will be incorporating portions of the SEA Bridge neurodiversity-affirming curriculum. *This program is being supported by a grant from The Greater Harrisburg Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. It is being provided at NO COST to participants.
Ages: 3rd or 4th grade
Group Size: Up to 5 participants
Program dates: Saturdays 9-10 am; Sep 16-Dec 9 (12 weeks)
Cost: FREE due to grant funding
How to enroll: Group is full.