NOW RECRUITING IN THE SB COUNTY AREA!
The Social Tools And Rules for Teens (START) Program is an engaging, peer-facilitated program designed to improve the social confidence and competence of adolescents on the autism spectrum.
This peer-led program combines a fun, safe, social club-like atmosphere with opportunities to hang out with others, play fun activities, and discuss social challenges and successes.
There are a growing number of published scientific articles supporting the efficacy of this UCSB-developed program.
We are recruiting for our START Connections Program (a Social Interaction Group for Teens on the Autism Spectrum) as part of a research study!
The START Program...
- Is a peer-facilitated, club-like program run by trained undergraduates and high school volunteers
- Includes fun icebreakers, social activities, games, discussion topics, roleplays, and TV/movie clips.
- Is designed to create a welcoming, safe environment where teens can be themselves while connecting with others and learning new skills
- Is supervised by a psychology doctoral student and a UCSB faculty member who is a licensed psychologist
- Is designed to improve social skills, understanding, and motivation
- Includes monitoring of social skills improvements via analysis of video-recorded conversations with your teen
Days & Times: Sessions will be offered once a week for 16 weeks. There are two yearly cycles: Sept-Jan, and Feb-June, with pauses for Winter and Spring break.
To Qualify: Teens must have a diagnosis of autism, be 12-17 years of age, live within one hour of UC Santa Barbara, be able to speak and understand full sentences, and meet other criteria to qualify.
Interested in joining our Project Waiting List? Complete our START Interest Form and our team will reach out to you.