Act As If  is a social communication program that uses improvisational acting technique as its base to address nuts and bolts skills as well as more complex social dynamics. We use unscripted scene work to experience the freedom of making choices, observe, and allow for 'redos' to model a more positive outcome. This way, from the perspective of 'player' and 'audience' we imprint appropriate interaction behaviors and then scaffold from there. Our programs are appropriate for a range of ages, cognitive levels, and learning profiles.  Each group is team facilitated by a speech/language pathologist and an actor both trained in the Act As If method. Our goal is to improve communication competence, social reciprocity and confidence. Some of the skills we tackle are body talk, initiating, conversation, negotiating, small talk, friendship, and flexibility.

ENROLLMENT

A screening intake appointment is scheduled to assess whether your child is a fit for our program.  We address a variety of communication levels, but a basic verbal foundation is necessary with an amount of metalinguistic skills in order to be able to engage in improvisation exercises.  Age, communication level, areas of personal interest, level of reciprocal communication, sustained attention and cognition are all considered when screening for a group fit.  Ages range from 5- 18 years old.