We are proud to offer social skills classes for children, adolescents, and adults that are open to the public. Classes include instruction of specific social skills that will help members learn how to make and keep friendships. Instruction methods include role-play scenarios, group activities andmodeling of techniques by course instructor. This program is facilitated by our social skills specialist Frank Guastella, LMSW.
Overview
- 6-week commitment
- 1:1 lesson required
- 6-60 min. sessions
- Course material included
- Learn to make and keep friends
Class Structure
- Role-Play: This approach helps students distinguish between appropriate
interaction and inappropriate interaction. - Modeling: The course instructor demonstrates how students can communicate
appropriately in a variety of different social settings (e.g. job, parties, school). - Direct Instruction: The course instructor teaches students communication skills
that will improve their ability to interact with peers. - Socialization Events: The course instructor will facilitate social events at the
practice so that members can interact with each other and participate in fun
activities that will encourage social interaction and help foster friendships.
Core Curriculum
- Healthy communication skills
- Stages of healthy relationships
- Rules of trading information
- Whole body listening
- Identifying and communicating emotions
- Starting individual/group conversations
- Social media safety
- Having a successful conversation
- Dating etiquette (adult class only)
Adolescent Class
Time: Fridays 6pm-7pm
Age: 12-17 (Cohorts arranged based on age and maturity level)
Adult Class
Time: Fridays 7pm-8pm
Age: 18 up
To apply, please register below or call us direct (631) 551-5095.
- Registration Class Fee: $85 for 1:1 social skills lesson with Frank Guastella, LMSW and $360 for six classes= $445.
- You have the option to pay for the initial interview $85 or to pay the class in full $445
The Social Dungeon Masters Class
The social dungeon masters class invites students on an epic adventure where they will encounter social dilemmas in an improvised storyline provided by the Dungeon Master/Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Frank Guastella. Students will create their own character/persona and work cooperatively with other students to embark on a journey of social quests. Students take on the role of adventurer/social learner testing their insight, knowledge, and intuition against an array of social challenges provided by the dungeon master.
What is Dungeons and Dragons:
Dungeon and Dragons is a tabletop roleplaying game where players work cooperatively to complete grand quests. Players do not win or lose at D&D; they embark on adventures that are fun and memorable. No adventure or quest is complete without challenges. Challenges in the improvised storyline represent the challenges we face in the real world. When players in D & D fail, they face consequences and when they succeed, they are rewarded.
How do students learn social skills while playing Dungeons and Dragons:
Introducing social skills into a D & D storyline, disguises them so students don’t feel embarrassed or pressured by explicit instruction on their social challenges. The D & D format to social education is a person-centered approach to learning social skills that intrigues students’ creativity. Their focus is on the game and having fun with other students who have similar interests, instead of it being on personal defects. Therefore, the social education is incorporated into the excitement and enjoyment students experience from gameplay.
The Dungeon Master (Frank Guastella LCSW) creates a storyline that presents students with a social quandary. Students work cooperatively to interpret the problem and decide how they are going to act. The DM observes students’ decisions and imposes consequences when they take erroneous actions and rewards them when they take remedial actions. The DM then provides corrective feedback and instruction by making suggestions on how they can accomplish their quest. Social lessons are incorporated into the corrective feedback administered to students throughout the class.
The structure of the storyline presents these consequences in a manner that is less punitive and more thought provoking. Students working together to solve social dilemmas in a fictitious storyline fosters empathy, problem-solving, and self-awareness.
How do I sign up for a class:
The social dungeon masters class is open to the public and involves participation in one introductory lesson with Frank Guastella and six 60min classes. The introductory lesson is 45min and costs $85. Students must commit to attending all six classes and pay an additional $360 to reserve their seat in the class.