Somaslp

11/09/2025

Local SOMASLP families, please join the Community Coalition on Race's Schools Committee this Wednesday evening at Columbia High School, for what will be a timely and informative discussion about our SOMA school district's integration efforts:

The Community Coalition on Race’s Schools Committee invites all community members for a timely discussion on the Intentional Integration Initiative this coming Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Columbia High School auditorium.

“Now More Than Ever: How All Students Benefit from Integrated Schools.” will pull back the curtain on “why,” SOMA committed to integrated schools, the many benefits of integrated schools and “where” sustained intentional integration can take our students and our community.

The evening will feature a keynote address from Dr. Amy Stuart Wells, a national expert on pedagogy, integration, and equity. Joining her is Rhena Jasey-Goodman, assistant director of teacher induction at Montclair State University and Columbia High School alum who experienced the district’s first integration effort in the 1980s.
Come be part of the conversation. RSVP is appreciated, but not required:
https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/forum_on_school_integration_in_soma

11/04/2025

I am proud and honored to have been asked to present at today's Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ Schools convention, entitled Building Intentional School Communities. I presented on Pragmatics: Development of Social Language Skills and Activities to Foster Social Skills in Preschool through Second Grade, and Speech and Language Development in Young children. I truly love sharing my knowledge with engaged educators!

11/04/2025

There is still room in the older elementary,/ middle school and high school/ young adult groups set to begin next week. Link in bio to fill out a social skills group interest form for more information. Message me with questions!

10/31/2025

Rosie the Riveter here to remind you that Halloween is for everyone!

🎃💀🎃Today is Halloween! Please keep in mind, a lot of children will be visiting your home. Be accepting of the diverse needs of trick-or-treators.

The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy may have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy may have motor planning issues. The child who does not say "trick or treat" or "thank you" may have motor speech challenges, be non-speaking, or selectively mute.

The child who looks disappointed when they see your bowl might have an allergy. The child who isn’t wearing a costume at all might have sensory processing difficulties or Autism.

That BIG individual might ‘appear’ to be an adult, but may be developmentally delayed or may be a neurotypical teenager who just wants to have some safe fun. Choose your words wisely. Be nice. Be patient. It’s everyone’s Halloween.🎃💀🎃

10/30/2025

There is still room left in my middle school and high school neurodivergent-affirming social skills groups that begin the week of 11/10/25. Reach out today. Link in bio for the social skills group interest form.

10/09/2025

Great article explaining the scientific reasons children with ADHD learn better when they're moving.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/adhd-brain-1.4344754?fbclid=Iwb21leANUie5jbGNrA1SJVmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEehRw3mKq5ZHPgUQPOq0c03UVKwZnz2so6G4VsataBDsbZ9Oq6QEdHOWNoSpY_aem_hGWPz2Dr7pTyE5jF3m3D2w

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may fidget, tap and swivel around in a chair much more than normally developing children because it helps them to learn complex material, psychologists have found.

10/05/2025

Local SOMASLP families, I am a member of the Comunity Coalition on Race's Schools Committee, that is hosting the following event tomorrow evening:

Reminder that the Coalition on Race BOE Forum is this coming Monday, October 6th. We are the only forum dedicated to issues of integration and racial equity. Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so that we have an idea of numbers.

https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/boe_candidates_forum_2025

10/03/2025

10/01/2025

Does your child have difficulty taking turns or being a fair player in games? Do they have difficulty making and keeping friends or reading social cues? Does your older child have difficulty joining a group conversation or self-advocating with peers or teachers?

I'm a Maplewood-based speech-language therapist, and I'm currently enrolling for a 6-week late fall session of neurodivergent-affirming social skills groups, set to begin the week of 11/10/2025. There is currently room left in all groups.

Groups consist of 3-6 children matched by age/ grade level and are appropriate for students ages 3-25.

Groups focus on developmentally appropriate social skills, such as turn-taking, being a gracious winner or loser during games, initiating and maintaining a conversation both 1:1 and in a group, working collaboratively, self-advocacy, and much more.
Groups will meet in person at my Maplewood home office. There will be the following groups:

Preschool/ kindergarten Group - Mondays 4:15-5:00 pm (ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT)
1st Grade - 3rd Grade Group - Mondays 5:15-6:00 pm (ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT)
3rd - 5th Grade Group - Wednesdays 4:45-5:30
Upper Elementary/ Middle School Group - Thursdays 5:15-6:00
High School/ Young Adult Group - Wednesdays 5:45-6:30

Photo description: Students in a preschool social skills group built a collaborative Bristle Block creation. Students took turns spinning the spinner and then selected the matching color Bristle Block to create a collaborative project, targeting turn-taking, collaboration, compromise, and problem-solving!

Fill out a social skills group interest form for more information:
https://forms.gle/Ly9nMMjNw6eBxiRXA

09/30/2025

Students in a Kindergarten to Second grade social skills group engaged in a conversation garden activity, collecting different colored flowers for making follow-up comments or asking follow-up questions to a peer.