About Me

Miranda Manyande

M.S., CCC-SLP

I’m a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

with 15 years experience working with

middle and high school students in the public schools.

What is Summer Social?

In a world where kids can be easily cooped up in the house on their gadgets, I have found

there aren’t many summer program options for students on the Autism Spectrum or with other disabilities impacting social skills at the secondary level. I decided to create this unique opportunity based on my years of experience working with students at that level, as well as parent requests. At the secondary level, students can have difficulty generalizing skills they have learned over the years into their everyday lives in order to make meaningful connections outside of school. This program is designed to facilitate engagement and socialization with opportunities to apply those skills in the general community doing real life activities.

Summer Social is a Speech-Language Pathologist led social skills group focused on helping Middle & High School teens engage, make connections and improve communication skills essential for lifelong success through fun peer group activities.

• This program is geared toward fully verbal teens on the Autism Spectrum or with other disabilities impacting social skills.

• PLEASE NOTE: Behavior support is not available. Participant must be able to function independently or with minimal supervision. A current IEP is required for review in order to complete registration.

• The program will focus on the following areas: Making & Maintaining New Friendships, Understanding Non-Verbal Communication, Listening Carefully, Speaking Responsibly and Using I-Messages. Participants will also engage and be encouraged to form meaningful connections through group activities led by the Speech Pathologist.
  

• Each session will end with a group lunch or snack at a nearby walkable restaurant (all within 2-5 minute walk) for real life experiences to encourage generalization/carry-over of learned skills. Participants will be required to pay for their own lunch/snack which should be no more than $20 each time.
  

• Middle School Students must have completed 6th grade and going into 7th grade in the next school year in order to participate.
  

***Please stay tuned for Fall Social in October, 2024 and Spring Social in March, 2025***

This summer program will run every Tuesday for 6 weeks.

June 11th-July 16th, 2024 for a total of 6 sessions.

9am- 12noon for High School participants

1pm-4pm for Middle School participants

• The cost is $100/session per participant.
• Registration is open until Friday, May 24th, 2024 or as space permits.
• You are encouraged to commit to the entire program as each lesson builds on the other.
• Space is limited so a $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot when you register.
• The remaining $500 balance must be paid in full by Friday, May 24th, 2024.
• Cancellations are permitted at least 7 days prior to each session in writing via email MINUS a $39/session non-refundable room fee.
• Group lunch/snack is NOT included in the fees. Participants should bring $20 to each session.
• Absences cannot be made up as this program only runs on dates indicated.
• We will have a virtual meet & greet prior to June 11th where I will share the actual location of the Summer Social (Arlington Highlands) as well as the group lunch/snack locations. Date and time will be emailed after registration closes.
• Any additional questions please feel free to contact us: Hello@SocialSeasons.Net

Program Overview:

Week 1:

Introductions, Get to know you activity, Making new friends, Maintaining friendships, group lunch/snack activity

Week 2:

Get to know you activity, Say What?- Understanding non-verbal communication, group lunch/snack activity

Week 3:

Get to know you activity, Listen Up- Listening carefully and attentively, group lunch/snack activity

Week 4:

Get to know you activity, Speaking- The Power of words & speaking responsibly, group lunch/snack activity

Week 5:

Get to know you activity, I-Messages, group lunch/snack activity

Week 6:

Review weeks 1-5, group lunch/snack activity