Groups

Social Skills Groups

Groups are facilitated by Anne Marie Nixon, PhD, LPC, NCC and address the following areas:

• Social Language
• Cooperative Play Skills
• Reading Social Cues
• Personal Regulation in Groups
• Active and Passive Listening
• Conversation Skills
• Initiating and Responding
• Topic Maintenance
• Reading Verbal and Nonverbal Social Cues
• Expressing Emotions, Preferences and Ideas Appropriately
• Giving and Accepting Clear Language Messages
• Providing Meaningful Feedback
• Tolerating Discomfort and Disappointment in Groups
• Perspective Taking

Handwriting Groups

Handwriting groups are offered with a unique approach addressing the many facets of handwriting. Activites will integrate foundation level neuromuscular skills, sensory processing and fine motor development as well as teaching and improving handwriting skills. Components of Handwriting Without Tears, Zaner-Bloser, First Strokes, Loops 'n Groups. Callibrobics, Brain Gym and music will be utilized.

Start to Write (ages 5-6)

This group will target the following areas:

• Postural stability
• Crossing midline and rotation
• Strength and endurance
• Rhythm and timing
• Tactile awareness
• Ocular motor skills, eye-hand coordination
• In-hand manipulation skills
• Pencil grasp and hand dexterity
• Kinesthetic understanding of letters

Fun To Write (ages 7-8)

This group will target the same areas as Start To Write plus the following areas:

• Spacing between letters and words
• Print and beginning cursive writing

Get It Write (ages 9 and older)

This group will target the same areas as Fun To Write plus the following areas:

• Quality of cursive writing
• Writing sentences and paragraphs

Wellness Programs at Kid Therapy
Offered by: Anchored Minds & Bodies
Mindful Kids Retreats

Mindful Kids Retreats are now available for children at KidTherapy. The retreats are designed to help improve a child's ability to focus and concentrate, increase self-regulation and self-management skills, decrease impulsivity, and diminish anxieties. They also teach children how to develop resiliency, feel compassion for self and others, and learn to respond rather than react in various situations. Mindful Kids Retreats were developed to meet the needs of our busy clients. Various themed lessons, as well as games, activities, movement exercises, and journaling will be included in one, 2 hour, session which will be offered throughout the year. Children in grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 are encouraged to register. These Retreats are provided by Maria Usewick of Anchored Minds & Bodies, LLC. Maria is a licensed and certified Occupational Therapist, who is also trained to teach mindfulness to children, teens, and adults. Please call Maria at 908-625-8221 or with any questions or to register. Registration form can be downloaded here.

Mindful Parents Retreats

Similar to Mindful Kids Retreats, this retreat gives parents the opportunity to learn and practice skills to develop their own personal mindfulness practice, which is the first step in parenting with mindfulness. They will be taught the basic science and research behind mindfulness and how it can help them navigate the inevitable ups and downs of parenthood. There will be themed lessons, time for inquiry, discussion, practice, and guided relaxation. Give yourself the gift of a 2 hour retreat to learn these valuable lessons, recharge your internal batteries, and find more joy in parenting!

For more information, please contact (908) 879-7067