Here at the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District, we offer valuable and exciting programming for children and youth suffering from Learning Disabilities and/or AD(H)D. One of our most popular programs is our Friendship Club.
This program is designed to teach children ages 4-17 years the skills and intricacies of socialization. Often children with LD are not equipped to pic up on non-verbal social cues, which can often lead them to acting differently than their peers, and being treated as an outcast. At our Friendship Club program we work in small settings to impart on these children the values of various skills such as maintaining eye contact, using a correct tone of voice, and properly asking inappropriate questions. These skills are valuable life skills and will ensure success in academic, personal and professional environments.
This program has been operating for 20 years, and every year enrollment is increasing and parents find they need a place to turn to help their children gain these valuable life lessons.
For many children and adolescents with LD and AD(H)D, interacting and socializing with peers can present an ongoing struggle. The ability to understand social interactions, read facial expressions, perceive and express emotions, and interpret language's more subtle meanings is acquired intuitively at an early age. Those with learning disabilities however, sometimes need help in both developing and understanding these social skills. As they learn, they need a safe and supportive place where they can practice these skills.
Parent Testimonials:
"As a parent, it's hard to watch your child struggle socially. Why does one kid get how to make friends and the other doesn't? The program at the LDATD really helped my teen figure out what they were doing right and what they were doing wrong. Equipped with the appropriate skills, she is doing much better and is much happier at home and at school. Thanks LDATD!"
"I am really thrilled that Carl is part of the social skills group. I realized after he had attended only a few sessions that things were improving and now I feel that he has had a great confidence boost. I noticed some positive changes in how he responds to social situations!"
The group meets once a week after school, and is grouped according to age. During the 1.5 hours they have in our agency they have time to socialize and make new friends, learn a new skill every day, while trained instructors ensure that they keep up with past skills learned.
For more information please contact Nicole Levy at 416-229-1680
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