The Spotlight Program is a place that fosters the development of social-emotional competence and confidence. Our program provides an array of opportunities and therapeutic services for youth ages 6-22 who struggle to navigate the social world.  This includes youth with Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, High Functioning Autism, ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders and other related diagnoses.  Spotlight utilizes a unique, three-part model to facilitate social growth. 

• Developing trust and alliance between participants and staff to create safe, positive and fun relationships.
• Using drama, theater and improv activities to provide a context for experiential social pragmatic learning.
• Creating strong, intrinsic motivation by incorporating participants' special interests into group activities.

The Spotlight Program is dedicated to the empowerment of youth and their families by responding to their evolving needs with specialized and enriched social programming.  Current programming includes:

Social Scenes are therapeutic, drama-based social pragmatics groups for youth ages 9-22 with social-emotional challenges.

On Cue groups encourage children ages 6-9 to learn and practice social skills in an activities-based setting, facilitating interaction and play amongst peers and counselors.

Next Stage groups, for teens and young adults ages 14-22 transitioning into adulthood, address skills such as independence, self awareness and identity, community living, understanding dating and relationships, education and employment and more.

Teen Support Groups, facilitated by Spotlight staff, offer a supportive group environment in which teens and young adults ages 14-22 can discuss the myriad issues facing them today, including school, friendship and relationships. Boys and girls groups are held separately.

Parent Support Group allows parents to receive guidance and support from one another, as well as from Spotlight staff, around issues relating to parenting a child with social-emotional challenges.

Working with the school system, Spotlight is able to design and implement school-based social pragmatics programming on a daily or weekly basis.

We offer a variety of auxiliary programming to supplement our social skills and support groups.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Pragmatic Players: drama-based groups which address acting skills such as eye contact, body movement and group interaction, culminating in a final performance for families and friends.
• Improvisation Station: group designed to teach improvisation skills including timing, perspective and flexibility and concluding with a final performance for families and friends.
• Student and Staff Showcase (SASS): talent show and fundraiser designed to showcase the many creative abilities of our participants and staff members, including improvisational and scripted performances, musical numbers and artwork.

Visit the Spotlight website to learn more about Spotlight, OnCue, Teens and Young Adults in Transition, support groups and other programming

For information on the Spotlight program, please contact the program director Kelley Challen at 978-624-2334

For application and registration information please contact Program Assistant Chris Curtin at 978-624-2335, ccurtin@ne-arc.org or fax 978-762-3980.