Monarch’s Adaptive Skills Training (AST) program focuses on communication and social skill building, helping participants learn and practice the skills needed to develop relationships and build their confidence in social settings. It is based upon the PEERS program, an evidence-based curriculum for social-emotional learning developed at UCLA.
Some of the skills covered include:
- Initiating and building friendships
- Conversational skills
- Maintaining healthy relationships
- Entering & exiting conversations
- Electronic communication expectations
- Being a good sport
- Planning hang-outs
- Handling rejection
- Conflict Resolution
Our AST program is a four-month commitment, consisting of one small group class and one individual coaching session each week. Both the classes and individualized coaching sessions are held online. This program is available to Regional Center clients as well as individuals wishing to pay privately.
In order to participate, individuals must:
- Have a desire to increase their skills and comfort around making friends, dating, and/or interacting with coworkers
- Be interested in attending the program and agree to participate in the program voluntarily
- Make a commitment to consistently attend the program for all 16 weeks
Enrollment only opens twice a year, so if you are interested please contact your Regional Center Service Coordinator to request a referral in order to be placed on the waitlist for the next class series. If you are not a client of the Regional Center, please contact the Director of Programs: bethprentiss@monarchils.com
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