Welcome to Frankenberger Associates Social Learning Program, a customized 14-week program designed to empower children, teens, and young adults to understand the complexities of social interactions. Our program stands out by integrating proven, evidence-based methodologies such as PEERS® and Social Thinking® into a personalized learning experience. We understand that effective social learning goes beyond traditional instruction, requiring a deep, individualized approach that addresses each participant's unique social learning needs.
At the heart of our program is a commitment to practical, real-world application. Each participant receives one hour of dedicated social learning per week, accompanied by up to an hour of social coaching for parents. This dual approach ensures that learning extends beyond the individual, involving and educating the family for reinforced skills and sustained success.
Additionally, we offer up to two 15-minute check-ins per week with the student, ensuring follow through of assignments and real-time support and guidance.
Customized Social Learning Programs for Children, Teens and Young Adults
Virtual or In-Person
Welcome to Frankenberger Associates Social Learning Program, a customized 14-week program designed to empower children, teens, and young adults to understand the complexities of social interactions. Our program stands out by integrating proven, evidence-based methodologies such as PEERS® and Social Thinking® into a personalized learning experience. We understand that effective social learning goes beyond traditional instruction, requiring a deep, individualized approach that addresses each participant's unique social learning needs.
At the heart of our program is a commitment to practical, real-world application. Each participant receives one hour of dedicated social learning per week, accompanied by up to an hour of social coaching for parents. This dual approach ensures that learning extends beyond the individual, involving and educating the family for reinforced skills and sustained success.
Additionally, we offer up to two 15-minute check-ins per week with the student, ensuring follow through of assignments and real-time support and guidance.
Understanding Social Learning
Social Learning refers to the skills and behaviors that are essential for successful interaction and communication with others. These skills are vital for personal and professional success and are often not given enough attention in traditional educational settings. They include, but are not limited to:
Friendship Skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships
Perspective Taking: Understanding others' thoughts and feelings
Practical Social Skills: Navigating real-life social situations effectively
Emotional Regulation: Managing emotions in various social contexts
Social Communication: Using language successfully to relate to others
Our Unique Approach
Customized to Individual Needs: We recognize the diversity in social learning challenges and tailor each participant's journey to their specific needs and goals. This personalized approach ensures that every individual's journey is as effective as it is transformative.
Parental Involvement: Understanding the pivotal role of family in social development, our program includes dedicated coaching for parents. This not only reinforces the learning at home but also fosters a supportive environment for ongoing social growth.
Regular Check-Ins and Adaptive Support: Our commitment to each participant's success is reflected in regular check-ins, providing consistent support and guidance. These interactions allow us to dynamically adjust the program to the evolving needs of the student.
Holistic Development Focus: Beyond just teaching social skills, our program is designed to foster overall personal growth. We aim to build confidence, empathy, resilience, and life skills preparing participants for a wide range of social situations and challenges.
Evidence-Based Methodologies: Our program is deeply rooted in scientifically backed frameworks including PEERS® and Social Thinking®. This ensures that our approach is not only comprehensive but is proven to be effective in real-world scenarios.
Expert Social Learning Staff: We are a highly professional community of Social Learning Coaches who are PEERS® certified from UCLA and trained in the delivery of The Social Thinking ® Methodology by Michelle Garcia Winner. Our coaches have diverse, master-level backgrounds in education, social work, behavioral therapies, and occupational therapy/sensory integration ensuring that our program is delivered with the highest level of expertise and care.
Comprehensive Initial Assessment: Before embarking on a social learning journey, each participant undergoes a thorough assessment. This process is critical in developing a customized social learning plan tailored to the individual's unique social learning needs, strengths, and areas for growth.
14-Week Structured Journey: Our program is intentionally designed to span 14 weeks, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience. This duration allows for significant, measurable progress in social skills development.
Our program is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it's a deeply individualized experience, tailored to unlock each participant's social potential.
Join us in this transformative journey and redefine social success. It's not just about learning social skills; it's about developing confident, empathetic, and socially competent individuals.
Who Our Program Is For and What Participants Can Expect to Gain
Our Social Learning Program is purposefully designed for children, teens and young adults who may struggle socially due to ADHD, high-functioning autism, anxiety or social awkwardness of any kind. Whether you or your loved one is navigating the complexities of social interactions due to general difficulties, our program offers a supportive, understanding, and effective path to social competence and confidence.
Our Comprehensive Social Learning Program at Frankenberger Associates is designed not just to teach social skills but to transform lives. Participants in our program can expect a wide array of tangible and meaningful gains, equipping them with the tools needed for successful social interactions and personal growth. Here are the key areas our program addresses:
Enhanced Social Skills and Relationship Building
Making and Keeping Friends: Learn how to form and maintain meaningful friendships and relationships
Effective Social Communication: Develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills and enhance the ability to express thoughts and understand others for better social interactions
Dating and Relationships: Gain insights into forming healthy platonic and romantic relationships and understand boundaries and effective communication.
Emotional Intelligence and Perspective Taking
Manage Social Anxiety and Emotional Control: Strategies to manage anxiety and regulate emotions in social settings, leading to more engaging interactions and the ability to respond to social challenges with greater composure
Enhance Perspective Taking: Ability to understand and consider others' viewpoints, fostering empathy and flexible thinking
Black and White Thinking: Nuanced understanding of social situations and the ability to recognize “all or nothing” thought patterns
Practical and Independent Living Skills
Health, Hygiene, and Fitness: Understand how personal care and physical well-being impact social relationships
Activities of Daily Living and Independence: Learn executive function skills for managing daily tasks and living independently
Workplace Social Etiquette: Learn essential social skills for successful interactions with co-workers in your place of employment
Digital Literacy and Responsible Usage
Balanced Screen Time: Strategies for managing and balancing digital usage, fostering healthy digital habits.
Proficient Electronic Communication: Learn how to manage social media, texts, phone calls and emails, and understand the nuances of digital communication
Self-Monitoring: Develop awareness and self-regulation skills for digital communication usage
Conflict Resolution and Self-Advocacy
Teasing, Bullying, or Alienation: Learn how to respond to bullying, teasing, and exclusion, fostering a sense of empowerment
Conflict Resolution Skills: Handle disagreements constructively, developing stronger negotiation and problem-solving skills
Change Your Reputation: Become aware of how your actions impact your reputation and learn how to develop the reputation you desire
Effective Self-Advocacy Skills: Build confidence to express your needs and rights and learn how to advocate in various social situations.
Discover the difference that our Social Learning Program can make. At Frankenberger Associates, we are dedicated to fostering social growth and essential life skills. Enroll your child today and be a part of their transformative journey.
FAQ
Our customized 14-week Social Learning Program stands out due to its highly individualized approach. In addition to integrating the PEERS® and Social Thinking® curricula, our coaches meet students where they are by tailoring lessons to help them tackle real-time problems. Unlike traditional social skills training that often follows a generic curriculum, our program is tailored to each participant's unique needs. Additionally, our program involves regular parent coaching and student check-ins, ensuring a holistic approach to social learning that extends beyond the individual sessions.
Yes, we offer the program virtually and in-person, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for participants regardless of their geographic location. We see students from across the country and around the world.
The program is ideal for children, teens, college students, and adults who face difficulties with social situations due to ADHD, high-functioning autism, anxiety, or social awkwardness of any kind. These challenges include making and keeping friends, social anxiety, perspective-taking, understanding non-verbal cues, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and executive functioning.
The program spans 14 weeks, with each participant receiving one hour of social learning per week, up to an hour of social coaching for parents, and up to two 15-minute check-ins with the student per week.
We offer the same 14-week program for the student who can be seen once or twice a week with our traditional check-ins. We will then meet with the parent every other week for a check-in.
We are a highly trained professional community of Social Learning Coaches who are PEERS® certified from UCLA and trained in delivering The Social Thinking ® Methodology by Michelle Garcia Winner. Our coaches have diverse, master-level backgrounds in education, social work, behavioral therapies, and occupational therapy/sensory integration.
Progress is measured through ongoing assessments, regular student and parent feedback sessions, and continuous monitoring of the participant's application of learned skills in real-life situations.
Yes, our program addresses modern challenges like the overuse of screen time and electronic communication. We focus on developing balanced digital habits and effective communication skills in the digital world. However, we do not specialize in screen addiction.
To enroll or get more information, you can complete our inquiry form or contact us directly via phone or email. We will guide you through the intake process, discuss your child’s specific needs, and provide detailed information about the next steps for enrollment.
Meet Our Social Learning Team
Ben Backes, LCSW, LADC
Assistant Executive Director
Erica Hocking
Director of Social Learning Services
Christina Davino, MOT, OTR/L
Social Learning Coach
Annie Quest, B.A.
Social Learning Coach
Stacey Beyer, M.A.
Social Learning Coach, Behavior Analyst
Kristen Laurito, M.Ed.
Social Learning Coach
Margo Lofaro, M.S.
Social Learning Coach