"If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." -Atticus Finch
Gametalk is a social skills and friendship group for adolescents ages 13-18. We use fun games as a vehicle to engage teens in socialization with peers and teach various levels of social skills. Just to clarify, the group is called "Gametalk" because we talk whileplaying games - we don't necessarily talk about games. We have found that when given opportunities to engage with peers in motivating, fun activities, versus more traditional social skills curricula such as worksheets, participants are not only more willing to immerse themselves into the process, but also are more willing to tolerate group goals such as improvement in social skills. More importantly, we have found that many teens enjoy these games, and can form friendships through this common interest. We currently have one group, ages 13-18, on Friday nights from 5:30-7:15pm in the Madison Valley neighborhood of Seattle.
The "Tone" of our group:
We have two main goals which are reiterated at the beginning of each group 1. Be Nice and 2. Be Empathetic. We've found that at the core of what we teach, "Being Nice" sums up to the most simple degree our first priority for our client's social skills development. Being nice involves being proactive, assertive, understanding social cues, knowing one's limitations and strengths, and valuing others and their feelings and opinions. Being empathetic is a bit more complicated goal to impart, but we've found that our clients intellectually understand the concept, although don't always practice it.
What teens will practice:
How to make and maintain friendships
How to initiate
Conversational skills (small talk and "chit chat" skills)
How to be a good sport
How to use humor appropriately
Starting and stopping conversation
Managing voice volume and tone
Choosing appropriate topics of conversation
Self regulation skills
Greetings & goodbyes
How to handle peer conflict
We have chosen to have the group on Friday evenings as it is an age-appropriate time to hang out with peers. It also allows teens to engage fully and not have to worry about completing homework as well.
Group Leaders
Rachel Ratner, M.S.W. Rachel received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington in 2008 where she focused on individual therapy and community organizing. While attending graduate school she worked with a diverse group of clients from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and since graduating she has worked primarily with adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit disorders. Eric Soran, M.Ed. Eric received a dual-degree in English and Psychology from the University of Washington in 2003. While working there, he worked with teens 14-21 in an overnight youth shelter. After graduation, Eric taught English in Japan to elementary and Junior High School students through the JET program. While attending graduate school he has worked extensively with young children with autism spectrum disorders by teaching at the Experimental Education Unit (EEU). Eric worked in both the kindergarten and preschool classrooms, working one on one with students providing explicit instruction and small group social skills and early learning skills instruction.
