COMPASS

Is COMPASS right for me and my child?

Does your child have difficulties sharing toys or games with other children? Does your child become impatient in situations when s/he needs to take turns? Does your child have a hard time taking turns when it comes to which game is going to be played or which toy will be played with? Does your child play by the rules at games or tend to cheat? Does your child make up new rules as the game goes on so that s/he will win? Is your child competitive and a sore loser--even a bad winner (bragging, etc.)? Does your child have to always do what s/he wants to do during play? Does your child have a hard time coming up with elaborate play themes during pretend or make-believe play? Does your child want friends, but just doesn't get invited to birthday parties or on play dates very often? Does your child play with the other kids, but when you really take a closer look, s/he is just playing alone next to the other kids? Does your child tend to make negative statements or annoying comments to other kids and it turns them off? Does your child crowd other children--get into their personal space? Does your child have a hard time listening to other children's ideas during play? Is your child bossy?

COMPASS deals with all of these issues and more. Most importantly, parents are included in every aspect of COMPASS, allowing for generalization of the skills from Dr. Rich's playroom to your home. Dr. Rich realizes that it is critical for your child to be able to use the COMPASS skills on play dates. Therefore, the person who most needs to know how to reinforce these skills is you--the parent! In the COMPASS Program, parents learn how to become their child's own social skills coach.

Many parents ask about the types of children who are in the COMPASS groups. COMPASS is designed for ALL children with social skills difficulties. And, COMPASS is specifically meant to be for high-functioning children, which is why the intake procedure is so important for ensuring that the groups are composed of children who will blend well together. While children with diagnoses such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders will almost certainly be in every group, approximately half of every COMPASS group is composed of children who have no diagnosis. Dr. Rich has been collecting outcome data on COMPASS for several years and has found that many positive benefits are experienced by children with and without diagnoses.