Social Scenes
Social Scenes is clinically-based social pragmatics program which integrates theater games and dramatic training with highly motivating age-appropriate activities such as video games. These techniques contribute to a positive social reinforcement-based environment and strong relationship built amongst the participants and staff, which is reinforced by a high 3:1 student to staff ratio.
After School and Saturday Programs
Our after school groups meet once a week from 3:45–5:45 pm. Saturday groups meet every
other week from 10:00-1:00 pm or 1:30-4:30 pm. We also have a group
which meets every Saturday from 10-12 pm. Groups occur at the
Northeast Arc in
Summer Program
Our summer program runs for six weeks, Monday through Friday 9 am - 2 pm. In addition to the intensive practice of drama-based social skills, participants in our summer program also work on writing and starring in a short film with fellow group members and participating in activities such as special interest clubs, swimming and weekly field trips.
Curriculum
During each session, the group is presented with a
daily goal which informs the games and activities which are chosen
for the day. During this time the group discusses the goal's
importance and practical use. Each goal addresses a number of
social pragmatic areas, including those listed below. Click
here to download a more in-depth description of these pragmatic
skills
Ability to read nonverbal cues
Self-regulation of energy level
Body language, control, awareness and tone of voice
Courteous interactions and sportsmanship
Distinguishing between literal and figurative
Flexibility/thinking on your feet
Group interaction & collaboration
Identification of feelings
Independent conversation
Joint attention
Listening and observing
Self esteem
Self advocacy
Theory of mind
Tolerance
Parent Communication
Parents regularly receive an in-depth account of
their child's progress in several social pragmatic areas addressed
during group, areas of need, strengths and generalization of skills.
In addition to being incredibly valuable to families, reports are
written in a format that addresses areas mentioned specifically in
IEPs and is usable by schools and other service providers.
Spotlight Staff
Spotlight staff are chosen from a selective pool of widely varying candidates, including teachers, mental health counselors, social workers and even skilled actors. They are trained to focus on maintaining an “inside-out” approach to imparting social skills. The staff builds on the foundation of social rules and norms by focusing on activities that facilitate experiential learning and interaction among group participants through the use of intrinsically motivating activities.
View our intake process here
Group Policies
No changes will be considered
until after the second week of group, unless a safety-related issue
arises, as deemed necessary by Spotlight staff.
Following the first week, a
request for a change of group will be assessed based on the
following criteria: safety concerns, counselor observation,
diagnosis, temperament, sensory needs, parent input, similar
interests and/or age.
Based on the above clinical assessment, if a change is deemed necessary to support the social goals of an individual or group, it will occur in the third or fourth week of group
