Social Skills & Friendship Classes
Our program places a strong emphasis on the value of each of its staff and students, and fosters a strong sense of community. We co-exist within a family atmosphere, fostering mutual respect and appreciation for one another as unique individuals. Experience has taught us that no amount of skilled staff intervention or well-directed teaching can have the same kind of impact on our students as socializing with their peers. We strongly encourage friendship within our student body, and provide students with opportunities to go on outings together and share mutual interests.
We are also very fortunate to have a strong relationship with our neighbor Black Pine Circle School. Each semester a new group of eighth graders join us for our arts, music and sports clubs. They also join us for our Winter Formal and Spring Prom. Our students have benefited greatly from this joint program, and look forward to their visits each week. We are also very grateful to Black Pine Circle for their willingness to include our students in their classes and events.
Like everyone, the students and residents we work with need friends. Real friends, not just people whose chosen work it is to spend time with them. To form and maintain real friendships, people with developmental disabilities need more than encouragement and opportunities or situations where friendships can develop naturally. They need to develop the skills that attract and nurture friendships.
Events
Via people like to enjoy life. Since we think good fun brings out the best in both staff and students, we enjoy celebrating birthdays and holidays throughout the year. We host a Winter Formal and Spring Prom each year, which includes a talent show, art exhibition, limo rides, a professional dj, and of course lots of dancing and fun! These events are open to friends and family. We are also grateful to have students visit from other schools.
Having a developmental disability can be tough. And challenging behaviors often result from frustrations associated with the disability. Living or working with these challenging behaviors can also be tough, and fraught with problems and frustrations. Non-violent, assertive communication and problem-solving can do a great deal to alleviate some of the problems and frustrations associated with disabilities. Non-violent, assertive communication is a key ingredient in Via Center's educational and behavioral programming and its commitment to win-win solutions.
One example is worth a thousand words. At Via, we try to exemplify non-violent problem-solving by taking an assertive, communicative approach to any issues, large or small, that may arise in our interactions with one another. Staff, students, parents, teachers and administration are encouraged to keep channels of communication open by giving immediate feedback in the clearest, most honest, and respectful manner possible. Other structures within the program also help us increase sensitivity and respect for the needs, feelings and sensibilities of others.