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FREE Workshop!

We help neurodivergent kids and teens become socially competent, confident, and connected so they can make (and keep) friends!

Join the Club

Join us via Zoom for our live, weekly classes and game time sessions for students 7-21! (Currently offered in US time zones.)

Yes, your kiddo will absolutely benefit from this!

Join the Club!

Resources

Follow our podcast, our YouTube channel, join us on Facebook and Instagram, hop on our email list, and learn other ways to get support!

Yes, you will find at least one thing you need here!

All the Things!

 Start Your Own Club

Ooohhh, fun right?? I'll support and coach you for a minimum of one year as you start your own social club in your community!

Yes, I can totally help you make that happen, even if you don't think you can!

Learn more!

Autistic and ADHD kids tend to fall into one of these personality types:

Circle

  • Reputation for being kind/friendly
  • Other kids like them, but they don't have genuine friends
  • thinks all kids they know are their friends
  • doesn't know how to start or maintain a conversation
  • doesn't self-advocate
  • gives passive feedback, if any
  • doesn't recognize when peers are instigating or taking advantage of them
  • spends free time with adults instead of peers

Triangle

  • Reputation for being annoying/too much
  • recognizes that they don't have friends, but doesn't know why
  • corrects others, even when it doesn't matter
  • talks about things that others don't know/understand
  • tells the same jokes repeatedly
  • does not apologize
  • gives aggressive feedback
  • has big reactions when given feedback
  • often gets overly attached to one peer

 

Square

  • Reputation for being 'shy'
  • Overly concerned about their reputation
  • avoids social situations
  • doesn't correct others, even when it's appropriate/necessary
  • struggles to maintain a conversation
  • humor is more advanced than peers
  • over-apologizes
  • doesn't give feedback to others
  • doesn't answer questions, even when directly asked
  • spends free time alone

 

Take our free quiz!

At Starfish Social Club, students choose what they want their reputation to be.

Maybe it’s kind. Or smart. Or funny. Or helpful. Or silly.  It’s definitely NOT shy. Or annoying. Or weird.

We teach kids self-awareness, which is the key to making and maintaining successful relationships!

It’s not about trying to make other people happy. It's not about trying to ‘fit in’ or mask who we are in order to belong. It’s about creating our own future, our own relationships, and our own identities.

We don’t tell our students what to do or who to be. We support them in being who they are and becoming who they choose to be!

They become socially competent.


Our students learn the skills and strategies needed to create their ideal reputation. They learn what works, as well as what doesn’t! Along the way, they become more of all the things measured on our STARFISH scale: self-aware, thoughtful of others, adaptable, responsible, flexible, independent, solution-seeking, and helpful!

Click here to see Tennyson's story.

They become socially confident.


Our live weekly lessons are highly interactive and engaging. Students get the opportunity to practice what they are learning in an emotionally safe environment! Our kids are taught and encouraged to give each other feedback so they can see firsthand the kind of reputation they’re creating. If it’s not what they’re intending, they get to practice making different choices. Or not. It’s up to them!

Click here to see Theresa's story.

They become socially connected.


Our weekly game time provides the opportunity for authentic practice and engagement as students choose how and with whom to spend their time. Our staff is here to support and facilitate game time, but we don’t dictate! This approach makes for a very authentic social environment. Students form genuine connections with their peers here. We are a pretty large and diverse group, so there’s always someone to relate to!

 Click here to see V's story.

What our parents are saying...

Hi, I’m Steph!

 

I'm a social coach who helps neurodivergent kids and teens go from socially challenged to socially competent, confident, and connected!

I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and master’s degrees in special education and education administration. I also have specialist certifications in autism, behavior support, traumatic brain injury, inclusion, and transition. 

I've been supporting neurodivergent students for almost 20 years as a special education classroom teacher, school administrator and behavior specialist for school districts throughout Texas. I have also run two private schools for neurodivergent kids, one of which I created on my own.

My own experience with ADHD makes Starfish Social Club a personal endeavor for me. It's my favorite place to be!

 

We feel like we've finally found someone who knows how to help him. She gives us real tools to work with him cognitively. I wish everyone had access to this!

- Julie, parent of a 6th grader

 

Check out more student success stories here!

Join the Club

Join us via Zoom for our live, weekly classes and game time sessions for students 7-21! (Currently offered in US time zones.)

Yes, your kiddo will absolutely benefit from this!

Join the Club!

Resources

Follow our podcast, our YouTube channel, join us on Facebook and Instagram, hop on our email list, and learn other ways to get support!

Yes, you will find at least one thing you need here!

All the Things!

 Start Your Own Club

Ooohhh, fun right?? I'll support and coach you for a minimum of one year as you start your own social club in your community!

Yes, I can totally help you make that happen, even if you don't think you can!

Learn more!