Blossom is an outgrowth of our sister company, First Children Services. First Children is a diversified provider of pediatric behavioral health and special education services in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization transitioned many services, including social skills and parent training groups, to a telehealth environment.
Blossom seeks to build on the experience and expertise of First Children successfully running social skills, anxiety, peer mentoring and parent training groups over 11 years while providing these services in a 100% electronic environment.
Our skills groups allow children with autism, ADHD or other behavioral health conditions to access needed services with highly trained clinicians from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Social skills often do not come easily for all children and the lack of appropriate social skills can often have lasting impacts on the child’s interaction with peers, making school and other recreational activities challenging.
By interacting with others and engaging in social norms, such as how to start a conversation or hold a door open for another person, a child can learn to develop meaningful relationships and minimize stigmatizing behaviors. Our goal is to teach children these critical social skills, self management and problem solving skills in a fun, interactive way.
The Blossom social skills classes are 8 week sessions, meeting once per week for an hour per session. Classes are available for children aged 6-21, with specific age ranges applied. The classes are hosted on the GoToMeeting platform and directed by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Blossom's online peer mentoring program is for high school age youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our peer mentoring program looks to unlock the life skills potential for these adolescents as they begin their transition to productive adulthood. These classes are facilitated by an individual diagnosed with ASD and supported by a Registered Behavior Technician.
Topics will include basic cooking lessons, resume development, choosing the right college or trade school, making friends and sustaining relationships, and internet safety. The goal of this program is to provide peer support and an opportunity to learn skills from someone who has successfully navigated the road to independence.
The program is run over 8 week sessions, with the group meeting once per week for an hour per session and hosted on the GoToMeeting platform.
David Hummel is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph’s University with a double major in history and religious studies and a minor in American studies. After being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age 7, David made it his purpose to help others including those with ASD. He spent three years working at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support, learning about applied behavior analysis (ABA). David provided services to individuals of various ages through the center. He served as an ambassador for the center speaking at various events supporting the center. David also served as the peer coordinator for the Aspire program, a program that provides peer support for college students with ASD. A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, David still lives in the city and remains an advocate for individuals with ASD.
Think It Through is an online skills group for middle school and high school age youth to learn to identify strengths, understand feelings, develop coping skills and cultivate social connections. These groups focus on anxiety and developing effective coping strategies. Throughout the sessions, participants will learn how to define anxiety and their personal experiences with it.
The group is facilitated by a licensed mental health clinician with particular experience working with children with anxiety. Sessions take place over 8 weeks and the group meets once per week for an hour per session. These groups are hosted on the GoToMeeting platform.