The Friendship Network for Children is an award winning mental health organization helping children/teens on the Autism spectrum.

Spring Groups begin the week of March 26, 2012. Contact us to begin the intake process.
Click here for a Spring Group flyer!

Winter Groups began the week of December 5, 2011.
Click here for a Winter Group flyer!

Flyers lists group dates, times, and costs.
Contact Nancy Swanberg at 508-393-0030 for additional information.

Click the following link to see our video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/FNCInc

The Friendship Network for Children's brochure

Our Mental Health Philosophy

• All children need to feel safe and understood.

• Making socialization accessible is mandatory for children and teens on the autism spectrum.

• Connect before Correct!

We provide the following services:

• Social Accessibility™ Groups

These groups are the heart of our approach to helping isolated children. In them, children learn to interact with each other and experience the joys of friendship - in some cases for the very first time.

• Individual short-term social coaching or psychotherapy

  In order to get a child ready for a socialization group or address a specific social-emotional need such as bullying, school-related anxiety, rigid thinking, dating etc.
  
  

• Workshops for children/teens with autism
  
  Workshops include: Dating Dos and Don'ts, How to Handle Bullies, Changing Bodies, etc.
  
  

• Student-to-Student Autism Connection Program

High school and college students with and without autism come together to increase autism awareness and decrease bullying. The group presents dynamic workshops to students, teachers, parents, and civic organiziations.

• Consultations for parents.

Parents meet one on one with clinicians to get guidance on specific concerns and to brainstorm effective solutions.

• Workshops for parents.

  Periodically we offer workshops on a variety of topics, including-- connect before correct, stress management, how to explain your child's emotional needs to schools, how to create "picture schedules", how to talk to your child, and how to host an effective play date.

• Workshops for professionals.
  
  We offer the following workshops:
  
  • Navigating the Mind:
    10 Tips for Understanding Social Learning Disabilities
  • Practical Tools for Connecting with Children on the Autism Spectrum
    
    
• Workshops for siblings
  
  We offer workshops for siblings ages 8-17+ to help increase undertanding and compassion, and decrease worry and confusion.