Behavior Therapy Associates provides two intensive summer social skills programs:

HI-STEP Summer Program (Helping Improve Social-Skills Through Evidence-based Practices)

W.I.S.E. (Weekend for Improving Social Effectiveness)

Both programs are designed for children with social-emotional difficulties, attention problems, hyperactivity, oppositional / defiant behavior, high-functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Asperger’s Disorder, High Functioning Autism), and/or learning disabilities (including nonverbal learning disabilities).  Such difficulties often preclude these children from successfully participating in traditional summer programs.  The programs include the following: structured activities with ongoing supervision; social-emotional skills training provided in a group format with role-playing; ongoing feedback and problem-solving via incidental learning; strategies to promote generalization of skills; small-group format (4:1 child-staff ratio); individualized attention and support as needed; sports and recreational activities emphasizing cooperation and group problem-solving rather than competition; ongoing feedback and Positive Reinforcement System to help shape appropriate social-emotional skill; parent handouts to assist child to generalize learned skills; and parent seminars.  Social-emotional skills commonly targeted include: making and keeping friends; impulse control & problem-solving; anger/frustration management; handling teasing; complying with requests; complimenting others and accepting feedback; and conversation skills.

HI-STEP:  Monday June 25, 2012 - Friday Aug 3, 2012 (8:45 AM - 2:45 PM).

We currently have 2 program locations: Stony Brook Elementary School in Pennington, Mercer County, New Jersey and Coles Elementary School in Scotch Plains, Union County, New Jersey.  Both have easy access from major highways;

Stony Brook Elementary (Pennington, NJ) is minutes from Princeton, Flemington, New Jersey and Bucks County PA.;

Coles Elementary (Scotch Plains, NJ) has easy access from Routes 287, 78, 80, 280, G.S. Parkway and N.J. Turnpike.

Ages 6-16. 

Funding: Many children attend HI-STEP via school district funding for extended school-year programming as part of the IEP.

Weekend overnight (one weekend) program located at Briarwood Day Camp in Bucks County, Pennsylvania (minutes from New Hope, PA; Princeton and Flemington, NJ). 

Ages 7-15.