The Sherkow Center Presents a Psycho-Social After School group program, SPARK!
Spark is a weekly supportive mentoring program that takes place in a structured and supervised group setting. It is uniquely designed to address the personal needs of each client, including those who may be neurotypical, anywhere on the autism spectrum, or developmentally delayed. Spark aims to help all youngsters improve socialization skills, impulse control, anger management, and to learn about their bodies and minds.
Within each Spark group, volunteer peer Mentors are paired with each client, and serve as a buddy, social model, and friend. Spark offers an opportunity to learn and hone conversational skills, and ultimately expand creative horizons while reinforcing empathy and engagement. Spark also prepares youngsters for events in the practical world, through presenting projects to a group, and practicing sharing and politeness with others. We typically have an art activity, a unique game or sport, and finally a more psychological and socially-oriented "Sparkinator" segment, which covers a range of activities that touch on emotions. Our goal for every "Sparkinator" is to work on relationships and sharing within the group, on coping strategies for strange or challenging situations, and on learning how to understand others mental states.
We meet on Wednesdays, at 4:15pm or 5:30pm. We welcome ages 6+. Each client will be evaluated and placed in a group that best supports them. In the service of personalizing placement, Susan P. Sherkow, M.D., and our group leaders, meet with every child or teen and his parents who are interested in joining, before they are assigned to a group.
When:
3 Semesters per year
Every Wednesday
1st Session 4:15pm to 5pm
2nd Session 5:30pm to 6:15pm
Where:
9 East 93rd Street (between Fifth and Madison Avenue), New York, NY 10128
To Enroll:
For more information or to arrange a complimentary Spark consultation, please contact us at
212-722-0090 or thesherkowcenter@gmail.com
Learn More About the Center and the SPARK Program
What People Are Saying About Our Program
““… I usually assume Ruby’s profound enthusiasm for SPARK must speak for itself, but we so appreciate Dr. Sherkow and everyone involved with SPARK for their understanding, intelligence, commitment, enthusiasm, energy and thoughtfulness with every session.
Through Dr. Sherkow’s psychoanalytic approach, Ruby’s ability to understand her emotions, express herself and participate more with those around her has blossomed. We will always be grateful.”
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