Friendship Builders
Meet Your Facilitator
Sardou J, Lead COTA
The clinic’s resident friendship-whisperer, Sardou, turns first-day shyness into high-five friendships.
With 4+ years of pediatric OT group work under his belt, he specializes in sensory-smart strategies that help kids feel confident and connect.
Credentials & Training
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (NBCOT-licensed)
Clinical Focus & Experience
4+ years leading social-skills groups for neurodiverse and neurotypical children (ages 4–12)
What Parents Say
Transformative experience for our child!
"Noise-canceling headphones used to be glued to James’ head. After just a few sessions with Sardou, he didn’t even reach for them—he was too busy perfecting a secret handshake with his new friend. We’ve never seen him this confident!"
A preview of our curriculum
An 8-session series built around the skills that matter most at this age.
Every cohort is a little different—we adjust based on the kids in the room.
Kids break the ice with partner intros, a compliment circle, and their first "Can I join?" script.
Practice the "comment → question → comment" rhythm and what to say when you're stuck.
Spot face and body clues, name feelings, and try "maybe they feel ___ because ___."
Learn a simple fix-it sequence: pause, name it, offer a fix, get back in the game.
Practice coping with losing, being wrong, and sudden changes—without melting down.
Learn the difference between joking and hurting, and practice three ways to respond.
Cooperative builds and partner challenges that require sharing leadership and compromise.
A final friendship challenge, a celebration, and a simple plan for using these skills at home and school.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about our groups and how they can benefit your child.
We cap each pilot group at 4–6 kids so every child gets plenty of practice and personal coaching while still learning to navigate real-world peer interaction.
For best results we ask parents to drop off and let the kids fly solo—they focus better and show truer social behaviors. If you feel a quick peek is essential, you’re welcome to observe the first 5 minutes of Session 1; just know even that short cameo can shift the group dynamic.
Click “Book a 15-min call” to schedule a call with one of our coordinators. Our team will confirm the cohort is a perfect match and note which payment plan you prefer.
Prefer not to call? No problem! Just send us an email at frontoffice@theprogressvillage.com
Each session runs about 60 minutes—just enough time for targeted activities, reflection, and a quick group wrap-up.
Mini Snapshots: After every session, you’ll receive a one-sentence “win of the day” plus a quick home prompt.
Mid-Pilot Touch-Base: After Session 2, your child’s therapist schedules a 5-minute call (or Loom video) to share early gains and next-step goals.
Final Snapshot: Within 48 hours of Session 4, you’ll get a concise written summary of growth and recommendations for ongoing support.
Because each seat is custom-matched and group size is capped, missed sessions are not refundable or credited. We’ll email a quick recap and home activity so your child can still practice the skill covered.
Still have questions?
We're here to help!