Alvord and Baker resilience builder groups

[Anonymous]

I am looking for feedback on these groups, particularly for an older child. I searched in the archives and did see some feedback already which was pretty mixed but I would appreciate additional information.

[Anonymous]

I have a 12 year old and would be interested also.

[Anonymous]

You probably found my post about them--they took my $200 for an intake eval and then told us my kid wasn't right for the class. Probably the most horrible fleecing I've experienced since DS was diagnosed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You probably found my post about them--they took my $200 for an intake eval and then told us my kid wasn't right for the class. Probably the most horrible fleecing I've experienced since DS was diagnosed.

What was the justification? They didn't think your child would benefit? It seems like they should've figured that out on the phone.

[Anonymous]

NP here - I went to this practice in the past, paid the initial fee, did therapy for my child. We then had to stop bc of schedule issues. I called recently to start again and they want another fee to be paid. Granted we would start with a new therapist but this seems predatory to me. Needless to say, we won't be going back.

But, given the dearth of therapists for children, I am very disappointed. We thought out sessions there were God. Just not happy with the practice of billing another intake fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here - I went to this practice in the past, paid the initial fee, did therapy for my child. We then had to stop bc of schedule issues. I called recently to start again and they want another fee to be paid. Granted we would start with a new therapist but this seems predatory to me. Needless to say, we won't be going back.

But, given the dearth of therapists for children, I am very disappointed. We thought out sessions there were God. Just not happy with the practice of billing another intake fee.

That happened to us, too, and I said no. Money grubbing turns me off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You probably found my post about them--they took my $200 for an intake eval and then told us my kid wasn't right for the class. Probably the most horrible fleecing I've experienced since DS was diagnosed.

What was the justification? They didn't think your child would benefit? It seems like they should've figured that out on the phone.

My child wasn't the right fit for the group. It's been a year or so but as I recall I never even spoke to the psychologist before the appt. There's a ton of admin at the practice. I filled out something like 40 pages of forms for the one appt and I'm not exaggerating. We had a few followup conversations via email with the psychologist but that was all she wrote. I'll never go back even though I know some people speak highly of the practice.

[Anonymous]

I did it last year with my 8 yo ds. I thought it worked for him in a lot of ways. I know there were a couple of kids who had taken it previously but for us it was once and done.

[Anonymous]

I think the practice and the groups are terrific but it may be because my child's needs were a good match for their curriculum. The experience also really varies depending on the mix of other kids and DS had a really nice group of outgoing and friendly boys.

Anxious child has occasional meltdowns? Good match.
Challenges with good sportsmanship? Good match.
Anxious child who has trouble staying calm and dealing with stress? Good match.
Doesn't follow directions well? Could be good, could be bad depending on the clinician and other group members.
Child who doesn't have friends and is looking to learn more how about how to join in? Poor match, IMO. But the practice does have ASD groups and those may focus more on this skill.

[Anonymous]

Link to the book. We found it very helpful and you might, too, even if you decide not to enroll in the groups. It focuses on some more advanced, nuanced skills as compared to Social Thinking and Unstuck.

https://www.amazon.com/Resilience-Builder-Program-Children-Adolescents/dp/0878226478

[Anonymous]

My guess is they make you pay for intakes and if they don't have enough for a group, they tell you they don't have a match.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the practice and the groups are terrific but it may be because my child's needs were a good match for their curriculum. The experience also really varies depending on the mix of other kids and DS had a really nice group of outgoing and friendly boys.

Anxious child has occasional meltdowns? Good match.
Challenges with good sportsmanship? Good match.
Anxious child who has trouble staying calm and dealing with stress? Good match.
Doesn't follow directions well? Could be good, could be bad depending on the clinician and other group members.
Child who doesn't have friends and is looking to learn more how about how to join in? Poor match, IMO. But the practice does have ASD groups and those may focus more on this skill.

Thank you for this. My child fits in the last category and we were debating between this and a social skills group led by a speech therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is they make you pay for intakes and if they don't have enough for a group, they tell you they don't have a match.

Where are you getting this? It's just not true. If your child is a good fit he or she can sign up for a group and if they don't have enough kids they will call you and suggest a different group or put you on a wait list in case more kids sign on later or suggest 1:1 therapy or a dyad.