Threshold Community Program (formerly The Community School) is a non-profit organization in the Decatur area that serves adolescents and adults, many with challenges in social communication and emotional regulation, as well as providing support to their families. In addition to our accredited middle and high school, and our young adult programming, we provide hourly services to others in the Decatur community and beyond that include counseling, tutoring, transition work, floortime therapy, and social groups. These services are provided by our highly trained and credentialed staff comprised of licensed mental health counselors and educators.
These after school social groups, led by our staff, will be on site at Decatur High School to serve high school age students who may have diagnoses related to communication challenges or emotional regulation difficulties. These groups run from 3:45 to 4:45pm, once per week, for ten weekly sessions each semester, with a limit of 6 students per group. There is a 3:1 student to staff ratio for these groups. Each group would include an introductory session for parents to gain a basic knowledge of DIR and the type of counseling and group work that we do, as well as a brief phone call or summary report at the end of the 10 week session to let parents know how the group went for their participant. The cost per participant would be $1000 per semester, or approximately $6,000 per group.
Group 1: Social communication, social planning, and perspective-taking
The goals of this group will vary based on the specific participants that register for the group but may include:
- Supporting group members in clear communication with their peers and staff
- Going on experiential outings in the community to learn independence skills
- Strengthening executive functioning skills by supporting group members in planning the details of an outing
- Exploring topics of shared interest to build strong relationships
- Supporting students in developing sense of self and confidence in their abilities in a group setting
- Facilitating group interactions, supporting members in conflict management, and problem solving skills
- Maintaining and developing social relationships
This group is well suited for students who may have trouble connecting with others, and whose communication and conflict-resolution skills are inconsistent. It will also aid students who desire (or whose families desire) more independence skills that can help them to become more integrated into their community and with groups of their peers.
Group 2: Tabletop Gaming Group
The goals of this group will vary based on the specific participants that register for the group, but will focus on creating and sustaining a Dungeons & Dragons gaming group. Tabletop gaming provides an excellent framework for building skills in cooperation, communication, conflict-resolution, and creative thinking, within a context of high interest and imagination.
This group is well suited for students who may have trouble connecting with others and perspective-taking, but who have the ability to follow complex stories and can use imagination to create shared experiences. It is also geared towards students who desire social connection with others but may have a difficult time generating ideas to share with their peers, as the game provides a commonality and ready-made topic for them to discuss as they get to know each other. It also provides opportunities for social connection that can extend beyond the group meetings, and offers up a set of skills that can then transfer to other groups and communities that engage in Table Top gaming like Dungeons and Dragons- which in the metro Atlanta area, is common.
Spring Dates: