PHILOSOPHY
The Quad Manhattan is an inclusive meeting place for Twice-Exceptional kids; a place where social and executive functioning "life" skills are developed through FUN! Twice Exceptional or 2e children have intellectual or creative gifts (the first exception or “e”) and also have lagging social or executive functioning skills (the second "e" or exception). Developed by experts in medicine, child psychology and gifted special education, the Quad is SNEAKY! We use kids’ strengths and passions to hide skill development in creative and engaging after school classes and activities during our summer camp. Quad students learn to:
- Develop self-acceptance … quirks and all
- Focus intellectual and physical energy and gifts
- Cope with challenges; flexibly solve problems, adapt to changing conditions, face fears, and learn from frustration
- Collaborate with others and build friendships
- Become empathic neighbors and socially responsible citizens
SOCIAL AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILL DEVELOPMENT
- Explicit skill building (30-60 minutes)
- Direct coaching throughout talent development classes
- Weekly parent communication
- Student to teacher ratio of 3:1
- Best practice staff training and supervision by directors and supervising psychologist
INFORMING SKILL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS
- “Social Thinking” approach to the development of social cognition. The Quad receives ongoing coaching by members of Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking® Training and Speaking Bureau.*
- “TCIT” approach for structured, consistent classrooms and positive behavior reinforcement
- “Collaborative and Proactive Solutions” (Ross Greene) informed approach to conflict resolution
- “Lev Vygotsky/Tools of the Mind” approach for executive functioning development (attention, time management, planning, and self-regulation)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach for coping with fears
