the F.R.I.E.N.D. model
Uniting children in play to facilitate positive peer to peer relations while enhancing motor, sensory, cognitive, and social emotional development. With the F.R.I.E.N.D. model, your child is paired with a peer for the full duration, or a part of, their treatment session to provide increased opportunities for natural problem solving, social interactions, skill generalization, and increased motivation.
"A friend is someone who makes it easy to believe in yourself"
Evidenced-Based Research
Societal Statement on Play
"Childhood play is the context for children’s development and is fundamental to their growth and learning from infancy through adolescence, contributing to their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development"
Peer-Play and Specific Learning Disability
"Findings showed that participation in peer play increased executive functioning"
Play-Based Intervention and
ADHD
"Blind ratings of peer-to-peer play interactions documented changes in children's pragmatic language 18 months after study"
Sensory Processing Disorder
and Play
Qualitative differences exist in the play behaviors of children with SPD- including conflict, social play, access to play opportunities, and awareness of social cues.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Play
"Implementing both sensory integration and social skills training simultaneously in a group setting can improve the social behaviors of children with ASD."
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July 2017, Vol. 71, 7111505132p1. doi:10.5014/ajot.2017.71S1-PO5018