Overview
If you have questions or would like to register for any of these groups, please call 216.448.6310.
ADHD Skills Groups for Children
These groups focus on teaching children crucial skills: how to communicate with others, understand their emotions and behave helpfully in various settings like school, home and with their friends.
ADHD Social and Behavioral Skills Group
This group introduces children to the foundational social and behavioral skills that are important for making and keeping friends. While children attend their group, their caregiver(s) attend a simultaneous parent group to discuss strategies to support their child’s social development and manage ADHD symptoms at home. Note: Childcare for siblings is NOT provided.
Details:
- Location: In-person at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation
- Length of group: 7 weeks
- Length of each session: 90 minutes
- Age range: 6-12 years old (participants will be grouped in similar age ranges)
ADHD Lego Group
This group aims to improve positive social interactions among children using open-ended Lego building challenges. Each session includes brief skill instruction on prosocial skills such as active listening, communication, compromise, respecting differences, and teamwork. Children are provided with high rates of coaching and modeling from facilitators and work toward meeting a specific behavioral goal each session (e.g., decreasing interruptions, remaining on-task). Note: This group can be attended independently or serve as a follow-up to the ADHD Social Skills Groups due to its specific focus on strategies for working with others in a group.
Details:
- Location: In-person at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation
- Length of group: 8-10 sessions
- Length of each session: 60 minutes
- Age range: 6-10 years old (participants will be grouped in similar age ranges)
ADHD Managing Frustrations Group
This group helps children with ADHD learn skills and strategies to manage big feelings, particularly frustration or anger. Topics discussed include emotional identification, coping skill practice, and identification of triggers or thought patterns that contribute to difficulties managing frustration. The group starts with a mandatory, caregiver-only session to discuss developmental norms for emotional regulation and strategies for supporting children outside of each session.
Details:
- Location: In-person at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation or Independence Family Health Center
- Length of group: 8-10 sessions
- Length of each session: 60 minutes
- Age range: 6-10 years old (participants will be grouped in similar age ranges)
ADHD Introduction to Executive Functioning Skills Group
This group teaches adolescents with ADHD practical strategies to improve executive functioning challenges commonly associated with ADHD. Topics discussed include understanding ADHD and its impact on executive functioning, improving planning and organizational strategies, time management, goal setting, and self-monitoring. The group starts with a mandatory, caregiver-only session to orient caregivers to their role in improving and maintaining skill use outside of sessions. Sessions for teens include opportunities for discussion, practice, and self-reflection.
Details:
- Location: In-person at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation or Independence Family Health Center
- Length of group: 8-10 sessions
- Length of each session: 60 minutes
- Age range: Children in 6-11th grade (participants will be grouped in similar age ranges)
Parent/Caregiver Education Groups
These groups help parents learn simple ways to manage their child's ADHD behavior in different places like home and school. They will practice techniques together, do activities, and track how well they work each week. Parents will also practice with their child.
ADHD QuickStart Parent Group
This group is for families who are new to an ADHD diagnosis or want to learn about current topics related to ADHD. This four-session, virtual group for caregivers includes these sessions:
- Session 1: Introduction to ADHD
- Session 2: Treatment planning
- Session 3: School and homework supports
- Session 4: Supporting daily routines
Note: Caregivers may enroll in the ADHD QuickStart Parent Group without completing an ACET Treatment Intake Appointment.
Details:
- Location: Virtual (for parents/caregivers of children of all ages)
- Start date: First Monday of each month (rolling admission)
- Length of group: 4 weeks
- Length of each session: 60 minutes
ADHD Parent Behavior Management Group
This parent-only group serves as a general introduction to behavioral parent training. Parents and caregivers will learn strategies to address mild to moderate rates of disruptive behavior with accompanying ADHD symptoms. Topics discussed include establishing routines, the use of positive parenting techniques, effective communication, use of incentive systems, self-regulation, and maintaining positive change over time.
Attendance at each session is strongly recommended, as sessions build on information from previous sessions. Additionally, participants who are committed to practicing the strategies at home between sessions will obtain the greatest benefit from this group.
Details:
- Location: Virtual (for parents/caregivers of children 4-10 years old)
- Start date: First Monday of every other month (rolling admission)
- Length of group: 8 weeks
- Length of each session: 60 minutes