Making

friends isn't always easy, but for children

diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity

disorder, behavior disorders or learning

disabilities, it can be an arduous undertaking.

Ann

Marie Baker, a licensed professional counselor

affiliated with "A New Start Counseling

Center" in Fayetteville, has started a

social skills class aimed at these special kids.

The

pilot program, now in its second month, has been

well received in the community, Baker said.

Designed primarily for elementary and middle

school students who "have been identified by

family and/or school as having weaknesses

adapting to their social environments,"

according to Baker, the once-a-week classes allow

a small group of peers to interact with each

other in a safe and controlled setting.

The

goal is to change undesirable behaviors, first

within the class, then outside the confines of

the center, sustaining the new behavior over a

period of time, Baker said. Some of the

objectives Baker has established for her clients

are: promoting self control, improving

self-awareness, developing consideration of

others, enhancing communication skills,

developing problem solving and giving and

receiving respect.

She

serves as the facilitator of the class, a

nurturing adult who also acts as a positive role

model. "As the facilitator, I have created a

climate where each student feels fully accepted

without fear of ridicule or condemnation,"

she said. "I want to provide opportunities

for success."

Each

class contains no more than eight students. The

typical class, which meets Tuesday, opens with an

exchange of greetings with those present. This is

followed by a conversation time when students can

share information about significant things that

occurred in their lives since their last meeting.

Baker

then leads the group in two or three games or

exercises that target a specific objective for

the week. The wind-down time is spent on

students' review and feedback on the class

objectives. The class ends with an exchange of

farewells.

For

information, a tuition schedule and registration

form, phone Baker at 770-461-9944 or FAX

770-461-9779.

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