Programs and Services
What is a Playmaker?
Brian Armstrong is one of your local supporters who has been trained by Life Is Good Playmakers and is passing it on to Synergy Center staff and the schools we contract with now and in the future.
Do you want to find out more about the work of Life Is Good Playmakers?
Programs in Mystic at Mystic Aquarium and Go Fish Restaurant
The programs were established to offer children a place to learn important skills and strategies for coping in their daily life, while discovering a variety of ways to have fun.
The key for our social skill programs at Mystic Aquarium is exposure to a variety of lessons, strategies, and environments with the fun and games they enjoy. While learning how to appropriately express themselves, read social cues and respond appropriately in an environment that is fun, relaxing, interesting, supportive, and safe.
Some programs incorporate a transitional activity that allows the children to relax and release anxiety they may have pent up from the day and then introduce four major social skills necessary to succeed in school and at home – appropriately respond to directions, interact with the group activity, engage peers, and demonstrate empathy toward others, along with a variety of discrete social rules that can be overlooked.
Mystic Aquarium we found to be the PERFECT place to have classes like this because it exposes the children to a “non school/ non-clinical” environment and allows them to practice in a variety of social settings and scenarios not found anywhere in Southeastern CT. We also feel it is nice for parents to have a relaxing place to wait while their child is in class.
Social Skills Programs @ Mystic Aquarium
Synergy Socials™ (8 week sessions)
Group is divided up into four predictable sections 1. Warm Up, 2. Lesson, 3. Big Game, 4. Cool Down. Once a month staff from Mystic Aquarium comes in to our group to conduct a life science lesson. Students are divided into age brackets with no greater than a 3 year age and developmental discrepancy. Adult to student ratio will be no greater than 5:1. pricing per week based ($25/member; $35/non-member)
Winter Sessions:
Winter Session is full
Spring Session starts the first week in April
Tuesday Afternoons
Social Species from the Sea to Me ™- Thursday Afternoons for youth ages 11-14 years old
Nondisabled and high functioning disabled youth who struggle with the social skills necessary to successfully navigate late elementary, middle school, and even high school will love this group.
Staff from both Mystic Aquarium and Synergy Center Corporation are thrilled to collaborate on this one of a kind opportunity. Students will encounter the variety of social species at the aquarium while learning the lessons the animal kingdom has to teach about surviving the social world.
Discounts available for Mystic Aquarium Members and consecutive class registrants.
Register today, as the group will begin once five social species come together for this sensational experience.
This program is eight weeks long, one day a week from 3:45-4:45. $25 per week/member, $35 per week/non-member
Girls: Get Connected™ – Group for Girls ages 11-16 -Monday Afternoons
Octopii, Lets Play! (sensory playgroup) ™-Currently Available Wednesday Mornings
Synergy Center and Mystic Aquarium are proud to announce a program encouraging social skill development, relaxation techniques and play opportunities based on the philosophy of Life Is Good Playmakers, and increased connection with the natural world. During this weekly one hour program Synergy and Aquarium staff members are working together for your 4 year old (Octopii) targeting play, physical activity (yo-play), and sensory based (touch, sight, hearing)activities with the exhibits.
Octopii Groups also meet in locations around New London county.
Currently Meeting Wednesdays in Groton at the Dolphin Gardens Community Center (across from Navy Lodge) – call for more details and to register – (860)701-0355
Discounts available for Mystic Aquarium Members and consecutive class registrants.
$25 per week (membership or admission to the aquarium required)
email Synergy Center to register
Summer Offerings
What Type of Program Are You Interested In For Your Child This Summer?
Sensational Synergy for the Summer ™
An enriched summer experience for children ages 5-16 designed to increase social competencies while engaging in traditional summer activities. This summer we are thrilled to be offering the program at both Fairview Odffellows Home of CT AND Camp Harkness. This year we agreed that one of the missing components in social skill development is the incorporation of the whole family and leadership across generations. Toward this goal we will be accessing the residents of Fairview for support and leadership while we have also created a group for the siblings. We believe this program went from being GREAT to INCREDIBLE and know your children will love it.
Each session includes four afternoons a week from 1-5 pm, all summer from July 11-August18.
Select one week or six.
You decide what works into your summer plans.
Several packages and rates available, based on number of sessions attended and family members attending.
Registration is limited to 20 participants per week, with an additional contingent of typical peers. Groups will be divided first by age, followed by ability, and have a ratio to not exceed 6:1.
Activities will include:
Yoga
Therapeutic Art
Therapeutic Music
Social Summer Reading
Cooperative AND Competitive Team Play
Social themes across all activities
Click below, download the brochure, download our application, email and/or call us.
Application and Registration Form
We look forward to getting to know you and your child as we have a Sensational Summer.
Synergy Does Sports!
Xtreme, and Traditional
SOS – Sensations on Skateboards with The Ideal Skateshop
“The sounds and feel of a skateboard calm many of them and they’re drawn to it. Most kids are first-timers and just sit down and cruise on their butts but the joy is evident at all stages.”
Synergy realizes that traditional therapies combined with age appropriate activities can have profound effects, hence skateboarding and social skills. We will be combining skateboarding and social skills instruction for a sensory-filled experience.
Discounts available for purchasing high quality personal equipment from Ideal Skate Shop – No particle board or slow bearings allowed.
Register today!
email Synergy Center to register
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Assistive Technology Assessment and Coordination
Educational Consultation
In-Home Behavioral Support
Social Skills Evaluations
Teacher Professional Development
Please contact us for more information about our services.
Fall Session:
September 14th- November 18th
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 4:00-5:00
