NEXUS

A Social Competence Program for 5-16-year-old children with

Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism

Sibley Hall

SUNY Plattsburgh

Tuesdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m. (8-16 yr. olds)

Thursdays, 3:00-5:00 p.m.  (5-8 yr. olds)

Nexus is a program that provides research-based social skills instruction for children and adolescents with diagnoses of Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. The program is designed to address individual needs within a group instruction format. Direct instruction, role-playing, and video-modeling methods are used to help children: (a) better understand social expectations; (b) increase positive social responses while decreasing social errors; and (c) develop friendships within the group. Children learn to self-monitor their own social behavior, thereby increasing their independence. The instructional program is conducted in the context of fun group activities, such as: games, simple cooking, drama, and nature activities. Parent meetings are held every two weeks, during Nexus hours.

The Nexus program is directed and supervised by Patricia Egan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Psychology Dept. at Plattsburgh State University. Dr. Egan is a psychologist and a board certified behavior analyst who has developed programs and trained staff and parents to educate children on the autism spectrum for more than 25 years. Laci Charette, Psy.D. assists in the supervision of Nexus groups. Dr. Charette is a NYS certified School Psychologist and an assistant professor in the School Psychology Program. Bachelor's and Master's level students from several academic departments  work under the guidance of Dr. Egan and Dr. Charette to provide instruction and help with activities.

Both Tuesday and Thursday groups are in operation during the college semesters (early September through early December; and early February through early May. 

There is a small fee for the program, based on a sliding scale.

For more information or to request an application packet, please call Dr. Pat Egan, at 564-3381 or email her at eganp@plattsburgh.edu.