We have recently started a 3-hour pre-vocational program for teens and adults. Our current schedule consists of 1.5 hours of supported work engagement within authentic roles at our office setting, guided by speech language pathologists and peer mentors, and ends with social connection over lunch.

Our goals and vision for this program include:

1. Supporting the development of independent work/life skills.

Examples include:

• trash and recycling

• vacuuming

• shredding

• organizing cabinets and shelves

• refilling supplies

• planning for lunch - deciding ahead of time to bring or buy lunch; when buying lunch, managing all aspects of the process such as ordering (on-line, by phone, in person) and paying with preferred mode of payment

2. Fostering executive functioning skills.

Examples include:

• task initiation

• persisting with effortful tasks

• appraisal and decision making regarding various job tasks (e.g., how can I tell when I am finished vacuuming, how do I know when a trash can is “full enough” to take out?)

• sustaining attention to tasks through completion

• managing internal/external distractions so that tasks are completed in an efficient manner

• using episodic memory to build upon learned routines, increase independence, and assume more responsibility over time

3. Communication

Examples include:

• supporting individuals to clearly communicate their needs and preferences to familiar and less familiar communication partners in our setting and the community (e.g., restaurants)

• supporting individuals to share their ideas and opinions

• supporting individuals to hear and comprehend the verbal and nonverbal communication of others, and respond as needed

• supporting individuals to seek help/self-advocate when needed

• supporting individuals to notice and repair communication breakdowns

• supporting individuals to take the perspective of others

4. Fostering meaningful relationships.

Examples include:

• developing reciprocal, connecting client/peer and client/mentor relationships

• supporting clients/peers who get along and have the potential for friendship to make connections and plans outside of this setting

Any teen or adult who may be looking for meaningful hands-on work experience along with social connection.

Fridays from 10:00am – 1:00pm, with potential to expand hours as our cohort grows

Because we are speech language pathologists, we may be able to bill some of this session to your health insurance, under your speech therapy benefit, with co-pay, coinsurance or deductible due at the time of the session.

We are also open to different sources of funding.

Please contact us to discuss!

You can contact Linda Murphy MS, CCC-SLP

• by email (linda@pptfth.com)

• or call 978-712-0003 and ask to set up a phone time with Linda