Where: Both Peer Projects and Therapy From the Heart offer supported work opportunities for clients beginning at age 15.

When: Time can be individually determined between the client, their family and their clinician.

What: We have many clients who have been with us for years now and we want to pay it forward by helping them to develop real world skills as they grow into adulthood, while offering them meaningful work opportunities where they get paid!

Rehab aides help out behind the scenes at our clinic, and join in on sessions or peer groups as peer mentors to other clients.

Individuals engaged in our rehab aide program commit to at least one weekly appointment with their therapist, and a monthly rehab aide meeting. In these sessions, rehab aides are supported in the skills they are working on, as well as supported to develop professional and executive functioning skills.

Examples goals include:

1. Executive functioning skills:

• task initiation

• persisting with effortful tasks

• appraisal and decision making regarding various job tasks

• 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

2. Professional communication

• meeting with mentor/supervisor to reflect on their work, ask questions, etc.

• responding to emails

• communicating about their schedule (e.g., days will be out, when running late)

• checking in with supervisor when unsure

• learning how to communicate with younger clients in a supportive way

• seeking help/self-advocate when needed

3. Fostering meaningful relationships.

• Become part of a supportive work team and engage as a mentee

• Make connections with other teens/young adults who are also in our rehab aide program

Cost and Pay: We will bill individual sessions and rehab aide meetings to your insurance as either speech/language or occupational therapy, with co-pay due. Rehab aides are paid minimum wage for the hours they work, after completing employee forms and securing any needed paperwork (e.g., working papers if under age 16).

Contact:

If this might be a good fit for you, your teen or young adult, we would love to talk more!

Please contact the office at 78-712-0003 and ask to set up a phone time with Linda or John!

We offer groups for adults using the same philosophy as we do for our younger peer groups.

Our goals remain to provide meaningful opportunities for connection and skill building. As each client is ready, they can play a more active role in their goal development so that sessions are personally meaningfully to them.

Please click here for more information on our groups in general!

We are excited to offer this program to adult learners in search of meaningful work experience and social connection.

Please click here to learn more!

We are also equipped and ready to provide individual therapy to adults. Learn more about our speech therapy and occupational therapy services.