Consultations, Assessments, In-Service Training, and Workshops
Assessments: Many of the licensed clinicians are qualified to do evaluations. If they do not have an opening, they can refer to clinicians who collaborate with The Friends Program.
Consultations: Many of the staff members are available to provide individual consultation to parents regarding: establishing a behavioral program, selecting a school, educating the child’s teachers, or addressing issues with the parents as a couple. Staff members also work with families to develop or clarify IEP goals and are often able to attend IEP meetings. Parents arrange these services directly with the staff member who will explain the cost of their services and their payment policy. Parents will pay the clinicians directly.
In-Service Training & Workshops
The staff from the Friends Program has conducted numerous consultations, in-service training and workshops to professionals in the fields of mental heath, pediatrics, child psychiatry, education, childcare, and early childhood development. Some of the topics have been:
Asperger’s Disorder – A developmental perspective for parents and professionals
The staff from the Friends Program has conducted numerous consultations, in-service training and workshops to professionals in the fields of mental heath, pediatrics, child psychiatry, education, childcare, and early childhood development. Some of the topics have been:
Asperger’s Disorder – A developmental perspective for parents and professionals
Asperger’s Disorder – It is a family affair.
Red Flags for identifying children at risk of having developmental disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome.
To diagnose or not diagnose – that is the question when considering Asperger’s Syndrome in young children.
The Friends Program is also much attuned to the need to train professionals who will be responsible for assessing and working with these children and welcome observation of professionals involved with the group’s participants. The program also provides the opportunity for professionals and graduate students to “intern” in the program.
“Wow! I was left quite sensitive to the families who have children with Asperger’s.”
Lucipta Reyea O’Malley SCCVE
Lucipta Reyea O’Malley SCCVE
“Excellent experience; well presented;appreciated both the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm.”
Steven Corells
Educational Therapist
"Laurie has provided staff development presentations for Palo Alto
Unified School District staff and parents at both the site and district
level. At each session, Laurie provides both theoretical and hands-on
informaton about working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Laurie's ideas are utilized immediately and staff continuously reference
them as they work with students. In spite of the busy schedule of most
staff members, when Laurie presents, every seat is full. "
Unified School District staff and parents at both the site and district
level. At each session, Laurie provides both theoretical and hands-on
informaton about working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Laurie's ideas are utilized immediately and staff continuously reference
them as they work with students. In spite of the busy schedule of most
staff members, when Laurie presents, every seat is full. "
Carol Zepecki EdD.
Director of Student Servcies
Palo Alto Unified School District
The Friends Program
Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, PhD
Palo Alto, CA
Office: (650) 322-4431
Fax: (650) 493-1754
Email: Dr.LaurieLB@gmail.com
Laurie Leventhal-Belfer, PhD
Palo Alto, CA
Office: (650) 322-4431
Fax: (650) 493-1754
Email: Dr.LaurieLB@gmail.com
