Friendship Club

**COVID-19: Please note that in-person program sessions have been put on pause in response to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

Program Structure

Participants will meet with their instructors online via Zoom at a designated time. More information on navigating your Friendship Club session will be provided after registration. Each session will be 1 hour long and will entail:

Individualized delivery of our Friendship Club curriculum, tailored to various learning styles.
Prompts to socialize and create discussion.
Alternating curriculum, activities, games and breaks.
Review, ask questions, and an opportunity to earn Club Coins!

Eligibility

Children ages 5-13 with learning difficulties and/or attention challenges.
Children having difficulties interacting and socializing with peers.
Struggling with low self-esteem and confidence.
Seeking new strategies and approaches to help make friends and maintain friendships.

2024 Session Dates:

Three weeks Sessions (2 days per week- 1 hr class):

April 1 – April 19 *No program April 1 (Easter Monday)
April 22 – May 10
May 6 – May 24 *No program May 20 (Victoria Day)
May 13 – May 31 *No program May 20 (Victoria Day)
May 27 – June 14
June 3 – June 21
June 10 – June 28
July 8 – July 26
July 15 – August 2
July 22 – August 9 **No program August 5 (Civic Holiday)
July 29 – August 16 **No program August 5 (Civic Holiday)
August 5 – August 23 **No program August 5 (Civic Holiday)

Six week Sessions (1 day per week- 1 hr class):

April 8 – May 17
April 22 – May 31 *No program May 20 (Victoria Day)
May 6 – June 14 *No program May 20 (Victoria Day)
May 13 – June 21 *No program May 20 (Victoria Day)
July 8 – August 16 **No program August 5 (Civic Holiday)
July 15 – August 23 **No program August 5 (Civic Holiday)

Program Structure

Participants will meet with their instructors and peer participants in person. More information on navigating your Friendship Club session will be provided after registration. Each session will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long and will entail:

Delivery of our Friendship Club curriculum, tailored to various learning styles.
Prompts to socialize and create discussion.
Alternating curriculum, activities, games and breaks.
Review, ask questions, and an opportunity to earn Club Coins!

Eligibility

Children ages 5-13 with learning difficulties and/or attention challenges.
Children having difficulties interacting and socializing with peers.
Struggling with low self-esteem and confidence.
Seeking new strategies and approaches to help make friends and maintain friendships.

2024 Session Dates:

Six week Sessions (1 day per week- 1.5 hr class):

North York (Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm)

April 4 – May 9
May 16 – June 20

North York (Saturdays 10-11:30am, ages 5-8 / 12-1:30pm, ages 9-12)

April 6 – May 11
May 18 – June 22

View The Summer Camp Program

View The March Break Program

Friendship Club

This program helps participants develop and practice social skills and communication. Friendship Club provides opportunities to build positive peer relationships where self-esteem and confidence can flourish. Many children with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder struggle when interacting and socializing with peers. In general, the ability to understand social interactions, read facial expressions, perceive and express emotions, and interpret subtle phrases, is acquired intuitively at an early age. Those with learning disabilities, however, may need extra help in both developing and understanding these social skills. As they learn, they also need a safe and supportive place where they can practice these skills!

Program Topics

The topics covered during each session include:

Week 1:

Welcome to Friendship Club & Understanding Friendships

Week 2:

Active Listening & Problem Solving

Week 3:

Dealing with Bullying, Self-esteem & Self-confidence

** Topics may vary depending on the needs of the group

Week 4:

Non-verbal Communication (body language, eye contact, social cues, facial expressions and tone of voice)

Week 5:

Emotional Awareness: Dealing with Anger & Stress

Week 6:

Compromising, Making Plans & Maintaining Friendships

Program Goals

Help participants develop social skills, life skills, and problem-solving strategies, including conversational skills and necessary interaction skills.
Assist participants in developing an awareness of their individual styles of interacting with confidence and improved self-esteem.
Help participants improve communication through eye contact, tone of voice, body language, active listening and problem-solving.
Allow participants to use skills in a variety of activities, such as group discussion, cooperative games, role-playing, art projects, and more!

Eligibility

The Friendship Club program is:

Children ages 5-13 with Learning Disabilities and/or AD(H)D who are having difficulties interacting and socializing with peers.

Participants are split up into two groups according to age and skill level:

Group 1: Ages 5 – 8.
Group 2: Ages 9 – 13.

Groups will be confirmed after an intake interview is conducted.

Locations

North York

Scarborough

Online Friendship Club

$250

This program does not take the place of therapy.
Space is limited per session.
Fees per 3 or 6-week session. Fees may differ for locations where longer session periods are accommodated. Please be sure to note changes in fees as listed on the “Details and Registration” page for each site.
Please note, due to enrollment requirements, program availability is subject to change. Fees are non-refundable. No make-up classes are available.

Summer Camp and March break regular fees

$400

Space is limited to 10 children per group.
Fees is for 1 week of camp.

Please note parents have the option of early drop off (8:30 am) and late pick up (5:00 pm) for $10.00 per day, per child. If you are interested in this option please contact us at 416-229-1680 or [email protected]
Space is limited to 10 children. Payment is required to hold your spot.
Note: This program does not take the place of therapy. Intakes will be conducted to determine the program suitability.

In-Person Friendship Club

$300

This program does not take the place of therapy.
Space is limited per session.
Fees per 6-week session. Fees may differ for locations where longer session periods are accommodated. Please be sure to note changes in fees as listed on the “Details and Registration” page for each site.
Please note, due to enrollment requirements, program availability is subject to change. Fees are non-refundable. No make-up classes are available.

Summer Camp and March break early bird

$350

Space is limited to 10 children per group.
Fees is for 1 week of camp.
Please note parents have the option of early drop off (8:30 am) and late pick up (5:00 pm) for $10.00 per day, per child. If you are interested in this option please contact us at 416-229-1680 or [email protected]
Space is limited to 10 children. Payment is required to hold your spot.
Note: This program does not take the place of therapy. Intakes will be conducted to determine the program suitability.

Parent Testimonial

“My son is currently in the Social Skills program, and he enjoys it very much. He has learned some key skills that he is using every day. The staff is very patient with the kids and explains things at their level. They are very positive about the program and encourage the children to do their best. I’m very thankful that they have created this program, and it is helping my son understand the different skills and how to use them in a social setting.”