Milestones' Enrichment Program for Social Skills
(the MEPSS model)
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MEPSS Model Features:
The MEPSS treatment model was developed by Tracie Vickers, M.S. and launched in 2007 after fifteen years of experience teaching social skills to children with autism in 1:1 settings, in school environments, through facilitated play dates, and in small social skills groups.
The MEPSS model has variations in program curriculum to appropriately match the chronological as well as the developmental age of participants.
The MEPSS program for children 2-3 and the one for children 3-4 years in age looks similar to a preschool or a pre-k class. It includes a circle time with phonics activities, a sight reading program, guided playtime, turn taking games, group dance and movement, group tactile activities, and group motor activities such as obstacle courses. However, unlike a school program, the MEPSS model focuses on social skills development and communication in a therapeutic atmosphere that mimics the flow of a natural social environment.
The MEPSS curriculum is designed to create many moments of shared enjoyment through social activities between participants, to promote reciprocal social interaction through turn taking games, to develop the social skills needed to effectively participate in group games and activities, and to improve social communication skills.
MEPSS participants are welcome to bring a friend from school, their neighborhood, or a family member on a regular basis. It is the goal of the MEPSS program to build relationships between children with ASD and their peers, siblings, and other family members while improving social skills.
In school programs children are left to socialize on their own. As a result, many social learning opportunities are lost. Children with ASD need expert adult guidance to help them learn how to interact with their peers. The MEPSS model emphasizes social skills development. We make sure that each child has the support they need to connect with their peers and to further develop play, social, and communication skills.
The MEPSS model is designed for intensive social development as participants attend one time per week for two to three hours.
The MEPSS model allows space for six children with an ASD and up to three neurotypical children. Key components to the MEPSS model is that it is an intensive social program with a sufficient number of trained staff available to ensure that learning opportunities are identified and facilitated during social activities.
Participation in the MEPSS program is for a minimum of six months and a maximum of eighteen months.
Current MEPSS Groups
The MEPSS program for children 2-4 years old meets Wednesday from 9:00-12:00.
The MEPSS Program for boys 6-7 years old with emerging communication, limited play, and emerging social skills meets on Monday from 2:30-5:30.
The MEPSS program for 7-8 year old boys whose primary needs are social communication (conversation, pragmatics, body awareness), awareness of social cues, cooperative play, sports skills such as hitting a ball, dribbling, shooting baskets, and playing as a team member against another team, meets on Fridays from 2:45-4:45. This group also includes short plays/productions for parents and family members to enjoy. The participants rehearse weekly to learn their character and lines, and they create the props for the play.
The MEPSS program for boys 7-9 years old whose primary needs are participation in large group play activities, turn taking/reciprocal play, social communication, the development of basic sport skills such as shooting baskets, dribbling, and hitting a ball tossed to them meets on Saturdays from 9:30-12:15.
The MEPSS program for girls 7-9 years old whose primary needs are social communication (conversation, body awareness, pragmatics), awareness of social cues, and development of age appropriate play activities such as hand games, card games, and jacks meets on Saturdays from 11:00-1:45. (The boys and girls overlap from 11:00-12:15 to have a mixed large group experience).
The MEPSS program for children 3.5-5 years old whose current needs are to expand play skills, develop simple reciprocal play with peers, basic social communication, and participation in group games meets on Saturdays from 2-4:30.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in one of our MEPSS programs please send an e-mail to Tracie Vickers. Identify the MEPSS group you are interested in and give a brief description of your child including gender, age, and current communication level.
