Setting the Stage – Summer 2022

DEVELOPING SOCIAL-COGNITIVE SKILLS THROUGH ACTING, DRAMA, AND IMPROV

For children ages 10-14 years

Setting the Stage For Success is a small group therapy program focused on the development of social-cognitive skills through the use of drama and theater arts games and activities.  The group will focus on developing foundational social skills, such as establishing and maintaining friendships, recognizing and coping with emotions, dealing with changes in routine, as well as understanding non-verbal and non-literal language.  Having well developed social-cognitive skills help children organize and synthesize their learning, establish meaningful friendships, carry out executive functioning tasks, as well as determine the appropriate ways to act across multiple environments.  Acting is about reading and portraying emotions by using your voice and non-verbal communication.  It involves acting and reacting, developing relationships with other actors, and interpreting the language of a script.  Acting skills can help group members’ develop the social skills that will allow them to successfully interact with friends and coworkers.  Teaching acting skills speaks directly to the core challenges of children with social-cognitive challenges.

Goals include:

  • Understanding the qualities that make for a good friendship and having opportunities to practice them.
  • Initiating and maintaining a conversation around a shared topic.
  • Understanding non-literal language (puns, idioms, similes, and figures of speech).
  • Learning how to join a group activity already taking place.
  • Learning tools for resolving conflict.
  • Taking and understanding the perspectives of others

Location: Durham

When:  Mondays, June 13th – August 17th

Time:  5:00pm – 6:00pm

Total Cost: $100 per session

Registration Information

Register now using this form!

Children are expected to attend every session (barring illness), as the sessions build on each other and group dynamics are an important component. These services are billed as Occupational and/or Speech Therapy services and many parents receive partial reimbursement from their insurance companies.

If your child is not attending therapy sessions at Emerge, we will be in touch with you to set up a brief free screening to determine if this program is a good match for your child.