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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP again. 12:58, thank you for this! That is a very helpful explanation.

If you don't mind, a follow up: So is part of the point of a group to put the child under some stress so that some behaviors show up so they can be corrected or discussed, but not too much stress that the child becomes disruptive to the rest of the group?

I think it's really unprofessional that they wouldn't be up front with you about this and thank you for warning us that this kind of thing can happen.

[/quote]

I don't think "putting stress on a kid" is the right phrase.  Being in a group unto itself might stress out a kid though.  They might act out as a consequence.  A good facilitator should be able to help a kid work through these reactions though if they are prepared to deal with the behaviors.  That's one of the reasons why it's tricky forming any kind of "group" of SN kids.  At a SN school, they probably wouldn't put 10 kids in the same class with hyperactivity.  You'd need to find a balance.

Also, "disruptive" is a nebulous term and can mean anything from a kid getting up and walking away from a group activity, to saying obnoxious things, to hitting, yelling, or distracting tics.  Being disruptive can be intention or unintentional.  "Acceptable" or unacceptable.  Hitting is unacceptable.  Acceptable:  A kid who has a verbal or motor tic might be disruptive, but it's unintentional and probably not going to influence or harm any other kid in a group.

When my kid was a toddler (many moons ago) we did a ST group where one kid was a yeller.  This child had some obvious severe delays, and it made me wary for my kid participating in the group b/c I personally found it unnerving.  My kid was fine.  Fast forward:  these two kids probably would never be grouped together again b/c they are functioning at vastly different levels.  But more often there's more commonality than we realize.  My ADHD/speech delayed kid was in a class with a kid diagnosed with Aspergers.  They were like day and night from a clinical perspective but equally socially awkward in their own ways.  They became great friends.  So our roots might look different, but the rose still smells as sweet.  So basically don't be put off b/c kids have different diagnoses.

Which is another reason that I was impressed with the Ivymount groups--b/c they have different type groups for different type kids.  I know there was a poster on this forum who had a legitimately bad experience with them (got a letter of being accepted then rejected), but my sense is that this is more the exception than the rule.  (The person who runs the Outreach program actually has a severely disabled child so has probably been through her own tribulations and wouldn't want to inflict them on another.)

We are all trying to be savvy consumers, but we're shopping what is essentially priceless--help for our kids and trusting others to provide it.  It sounds like you're struggling whether the group you're currently in is helpful, and there's been some unsettling developments--like kids running out upset.  So if you're still unsure about whether to pull the plug and move on, the first thing I would do is schedule a chat with the organizer b/f making a decision.[/quote]

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