Gametalk, also known as The Lords of the Universe Game Club, 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. 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 two groups running simultaneously, one for 13-15 year olds, and the other for 16-18 year olds.
At admission to the group, parents will receive our Social Skills Inventory, which will allow us to learn parent perspectives (as well as your teen's perspective) on current social skill functioning. This establishes a baseline from which we can create specific personal goals for the group.
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 Schedule:
5:00-5:30 Check-in & Goals
5:15-5:30 Snack
5:30-6:30 Play Games
6:30-6:45 Debrief & Clean-up
Board Games Played:
- Risk - Dracula - Killer Bunnies - Ticket to Ride - Lord of the Rings - Chess - Monopoly - Battleship - And many more!
Group Leaders
Peter Weiss, MA, LMHC, CMHS Click here to learn more about Peter.
Jeremy Erickson, M.Ed., Ph.D. Candidate Jeremy received his M.Ed. in special education from the University of Washington in 2005. He has worked extensively with adolescents and young children with autism spectrum disorders for over seven years. For the past two years he was teaching blended kindergarten at the Experimental Education Unit (EEU). While completing his master's degree, Jeremy worked in the EEU's Project DATA (Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism) classroom providing explicit one on one and small group social skills and early learning skills instruction. Currently, Jeremy is supervising graduate students receiving their Master's of Education in severe disabilities, and working on a research grant through the U.W. College of Education. Jeremy will begin working on his Ph.D. at the University of Washington in the fall of 2008, specializing in special education.
Claudia Kirkland, MSW, LICSW, CMHS Claudia is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with children and adolescents. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2001 with a concentration in Interpersonal Practice with youth and families. For the past six years, she has provided individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents in schools and community-based settings. She has facilitated a number of social skills group for adolescents as well as young children. Claudia currently works as a child & adolescent therapist at a community mental health clinic in Seattle. This past summer she worked as a counselor on a sailing trip for a group of adolescents with Asperger's and High-functioning Autism.
Kim Kokias, BA Kim graduated with a BA from Colorado State University. Shortly after graduation Kim moved to Seattle
where she began working with children with autism and specializing in
early childhood interventions. She currently works as an ABA therapist
in both school and in-home settings. This last summer Kim lead a
2-week sea kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands for teenagers with High-functioning autism, Asperger's, and ADHD. Kim's other interests include photography, music, and the outdoors.
Parent Support (optional)
Parents informally meet during the group at a coffee shop nearby. This provides a great opportunity for not only support, but exchange of resources, as well as helping teens to make connections with other group members outside of the group.
