8th Session/Parent Meeting

Hi Families,

Nice evening! Your kids continued to show improvement in their behavior. We started off with a new group member and it was really nice to see that one of your children immediately began conversing with him in the waiting room to help break the ice (earning that child, "J," a blue ticket). Four of the members had LUNCH Point certificates, although one forgot his, leaving three to participate in the LUNCH Point Raffle. We gave away a Phase 10 handheld game.

During the session, use of avatars was demonstrated and we reviewed how to do video recordings (looking directly at the camera, modulating voice volume, speaking smoothly). The kids were given an assignment to look at what avatars they wish to be click here to view and also to think of a joke they wish to be filmed saying.

The evening ended with them going off to Gelsons Market for an outdoor picnic-style dinner while parents I met. We had about 75% of families show up, which was a nice attendance turn-out. I showed a little video footage of events in the group and we had a general discussion, covering a broad range of topics including:

• Excessive Internet Use (mentioned Net Nanny and Safe Eyes), plus behavioral strategies for managing this type of problem
• Telephone skills (planning to do some role modelings and rehearsal in an upcoming group)
• How to talk to girls (group will likely view a video and we can use that as a point of discussion)
• Transition Programs (I will provide more information in an upcoming email)
• Kids compartmentalizing other LUNCH Group members, not having much contact outside of group. (Plan is that parents will sugget this to their children who will hopefully bring it up as an area to address in group and it will be added to LUNCH Points.)

The next parent meeting will occur in February and will be a combined parent dinner for both adolescent and kids group parents. Last December's meeting went over well and you will receive advance notice and an opportunity to RSVP.

Thanks!

Bruce

7th Session/Office Meeting

Overall, tonight was a pretty typical, thoroughly enjoyable, meeting. The teens spent the first 10 minutes in the office "just socializing." It was interesting to listen to them, generally, from the other room. The noise level started off loud, but not too loud as they were broken into naturally formed dyads and triads. Then after about five minutes, the noise level subsided and just as I walked in, it was more of a "murmur."

We discussed holiday breaks and who did what. This is one of those times when working on free-flowing conversations, attentional skills, summarizing, and staying on target come into play. They did well. Interestingly, it was notable during last month's laser tag/Hamburger Hamlet outing, where they really acted as a cohesive group of teens. Whereas before the two counselors and I would "fan out" among them, now we mostly leave them along during meal time because it goes so smoothly and they appear to be enjoying themselves.

Back to tonight. Only three group members had LUNCH Points Certificates with them (one forget his) and one chose not to play Wii. We let the two who had them choose who else they wanted to play. Also, I announced that we are installing the Wii Fit and that generated more excitement than I anticipated.

The rest of the members (7 of them) came into the large group room and we reviewed and updated the behaviors they wished to focus on outside of group. They helped one another a great deal and only one member (a female) did not wish to add any new behaviors. After about 20 minutes, the members who had been playing theWii came in and joined the others. The transition was seamless and well-orchestrated. Those who had not already updated their LUNCH Points behaviors did so at this point.

A couple of parents had written me, commenting that they hoped I could address anger and social anxiety problems occurring outside of group. Two of the group members targeted behaviors that related to being more outgoing and assertive and a several wanted to work on controlling angry responses. I gave a brief (maybe not so brief) didactic on social anxiety and how it works, encouraging practice even through it can feel uncomfortable. We'll see what happens, but at least one member began showing more assertiveness, which earned him Hero Raffle Tickets (the red ones) for his behavior.

In fact, we held our first Hero Ticket Raffle tonight, giving away four $15 prizes (they had the regular "blue ticket" raffle last session). One member was disappointed that she had zero tickets, but I spoke with her and explained what she needed to do to obtain them. We will hold another, most likely in early March.

Dinner occurred at Gelsons market and went extremely smoothly. Everyone found something to eat and a few kids found their way over to the cheese samples as well. To watch them distribute the food (yes, I have it on video and will show it at the upcoming parent meeting or make it available via a secure link) then sit down and socialize was very rewarding to observe.

A few families came late due to a terrible traffic accident on the 101 that had a ripple effect throughout the city. One parent reached me through my emergency line, another used our customer service support option. Just as a reminder, to reach me, dial the office, then press "1" and "1" a second time. Or you can call in and press "3" for our 24 live operator service (they forward an immediate email). In any case, all ended uneventfully and it looked as though they enjoyedthemselves.

A couple of final pieces. Rina will be sending out an email and a survey to figure out the best schedule for March and April. I have several conferences during those months and we have one short period where the schedule may be irregular. We'll send out a survey to find out what you would like to do.

Next meeting will be a Parent Meeting in the office, from 6pm - 7pm. Check the schedule

I hope everyone had a good New Year. See you next time.

Bruce

3rd Session/Parent Meeting

Dear Parents,

Tonight was great! Your teens showed true signs of "gelling" as a group. There was less "side-talking" (okay there was some, but it was less, they showed consideration to one another, nice interactions. Also they were simply more efficient and focused than during the last meeting, even though three week have elapsed.

We worked on updating LUNCH Points for many of your children. If you do not see any new behaviors when you log into the program, it is because your child did not request it. Remember, the purpose is to help them remember one or two simple things they can, and should, be doing on a regular basis. We will work on behaviors that you have targeted for group later on. Right now, we just need to get the "mechanism working."

If there is a behaivor you think it would benefit your child to target, suggest it when you get closer to the next meeting, in two weeks. Remind them to bring it up and, if you wish, send me an email. If they remember, let them know it is good for a "Hero Ticket."

In addition to working on LUNCH Points, they participated in making a group animation, which will apparently have another segment in the future. Everyone from group participated. Some may have chosen a character, a sound effect, scene change, or dialogue, but everyone participated.

They had dinner at Gelsons tonight, mainly because of the parent meeting. They ate outside and, according to Lindsay and Stacy, socialized or played games after they finished eating.

The parent meeting had the best attendance we've seen in a long, long time. Congratulations! We reviewed enhancements to the website and LUNCH Points, general strategies and information, e.g., do you take things away from your child? If so, how do you do it in an effective, learning, learning based manner?

Finally, the parents made a request, which has turned into a decision. The parent tele-conferences will stop and be replaced by..... Parent Dinners. We are planning to have them occur every other month, starting in December on the 2nd Thursday of the month. The meeting place and exact time will be sent to you.

We will still conduct tele-conferences on occasion, however this will be primarily for teaching about technology used in the program.

Finally, there is a closed social network available and we discussed some of the details regarding that.

Your kids threw their own trash away and seemed to enjoy themselves. I will dicate audio summaries after next session.

That's all for now.

Bruce