About Social Connection

 
 Social Connection provides children and teens an environment to come together and have fun. Children’s Specialized Hospital’s recreational therapists create structured activities focused on building friendships, self-expression, and improving confidence, in an enjoyable environment. These programs include:
 
 
Play Group
Ages 3 to 6 years old 
Join us for various fun play activities while moving our bodies and using our imaginations! Our Parent-Child Play Group is a physical and social group for all young children ages 3-6 and their parents/caregivers. Our Recreational Therapists provide structured social and play activities, including circle time, crafts, gross motor play, pretend play, songs, exploration and more! These activities create opportunities for children to explore and learn in a safe and supportive environment. Play Group also promotes parent/caregiver-child bonding and guides parents/caregivers in engaging in developmentally-appropriate play with their child. We hope all participants find this group fun, engaging, and a great way to connect with other families!
 
Social Club
Ages 7 to 13 years old 
Join us for Social Club! This group helps youth meet new friends and improve social skills in a fun and supportive environment. This club offers a variety of popular social and recreational activities for youth and teens who are looking to try new activities and have fun with their peers!
 
Teen Night
Ages 13 to 21 Years Old  
Children’s Specialized Hospital provides a weekly social & recreation program for teens and young adults with special healthcare needs & disabilities. Our Recreational Therapists, Activity Connection staff & volunteers provide structured & unstructured social and leisure activities each week. Siblings and friends without special needs are permitted to submit a Consent form and register. Teens can expect to meet and get to know their peers, engage in group activities, and learn new games & skills. Some activities may include cooking, game nights, entertainment, crafting, technology classes, and more!  
  
  
  


Friday Night Fever
Friday Night Fever is a monthly social and recreational program for teens and youth with special healthcare needs. The program provides opportunities for members to foster new relationships, participate in new leisure activities, access a variety of community facilities, and just be a teen! All participants demonstrate a desire to meet new friends & participate in new recreational experiences. The group meets monthly for activities at the hospital location or at various locations in the community. 

 

Membership Criteria

  • Members must be between the ages of 13 to 21 and have a disability
  • Demonstrate the ability / desire to initiate and respond to social interactions
  • Able to communicate with others via communication device or verbally
  • Able to follow group rules and directions in public settings under group supervision

 

Join our Interest List

Membership is on a rolling basis however our largest enrollment typically occurs in January of each year. Submit the screening form (in the Forms & Documents section of the navigation pane to the left), to apply for the program and be added to the waiting list. To ensure that Friday Night Fever is the right program for you, potential members must submit a screening form and participate in a few activities on a trial basis. If this program’s criteria does not fit your child’s needs, please ask the coordinators for additional resources and recommendations for other programs.

Fill out the Screening Form through the Friday Night Fever Interested Participant Application!

 

Cost

The current annual fee is $300. Additional costs for large trips may apply, but many activities are supported by donations. 

 

 

Locations                                                                                                            

Friday Night Fever offered in Mountainside area within 30 minutes surrounding:

Children’s Specialized Hospital

150 New Providence Road

Mountainside, NJ 07092

 

Friday Night Fever offered in Toms River area within 30 minutes surrounding:

Children’s Specialized Hospital

94 Stevens Road

Toms River, NJ 08755

 

To register for Activity Connection programs click here.