Family Achievement Center Life Skills Groups

Participant Eligibility
The Family Achievement Center's (FAC) Life Skills group is for children who demonstrate social, communication, or interaction difficulties. Children in the group must be verbal. They should also have at least the initial skills in being able to focus his/her attention, follow simple directions, and have no physically aggressive behaviors. Please call FAC for the current list of Life Skills groups offered and suggested ages. Download our Communication Skill-Building Groups Brochure.

Group Expectations
Group participants will learn basic life skills to enhance interactions with those in their environment. Topics will vary based on the participants' age and ability level. Group topics may include but are not limited to conversational skills, cooperative play skills, friendship management, self-regulation, recognition of feelings, and conflict management.

Life Skills Group Format
Topics will be taught using multiple learning approaches to meet the needs of children with different learning styles. New topics will be introduced using auditory, visual, and kinetic approaches, which can include stories, videos, worksheets, role-playing, group activities, and movement activities. Self-regulation techniques using the program "How Does Your Engine Run," will be used throughout each session. This program is commonly used in school districts and can help assist children in staying focused for learning activities. Each session will end with a closing activity and homework will be passed out which will be due the following week. Completing homework assignments is an important way to reapply the skills learned. Children often require multiple repetitions in order to be successful at a task. Groups will be limited to six participants per two therapists.

Enrollment Process
Each prospective Life Skills group participant needs to be screened by an FAC occupational therapist to determine level of performance and appropriateness for group therapy. If the child is an appropriate canidate for the group and a current opening exists, he/she would be eligible to join the group. If there is not a current opening, the child is placed on a waiting list and would be admitted to the next group session offered for their age.

Cost/Billing
FAC Life Skills groups are billed in a private pay format. Please contact FAC for costs.