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 social program for teens and young adults. This program provides opportunities to develop and strengthen friendships through monthly events. Typically our events happen both on site and in the community. Members will be able to try new leisure activities, increase independence, and enjoy participating in various activities. This program is a yearly membership. Members must attend at least 8 events per year to maintain their spot in the program, or their spot may be replaced with a teen from the waitlist.

 

 
Membership Criteria

  • Members must be between the ages of 13 to 21.
  • 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 independently or with reminders.
  • Able to display safe behaviors towards self and others.
  • Remain with the group with minimal reminders.
  • Independent with ADLs

 

Join our Interest List
 

Membership is on a rolling basis, however our largest enrollment typically occurs in January of each year. To apply for Friday Night Fever, please complete the "Friday Night Fever- MTN Interested New Participant" registration on our registration page! This application will require you to complete a Screening Form and Media Release for your teen.

 
Once your application is complete, each interested participant must attend 3 or more Teen Nights so we can get to know them and assess if Friday Night Fever is appropriate for your teen. You will then be contacted by the Friday Night Fever team to complete an intake form over the phone.
 
If the program is full, your teen will be added to the waitlist and contacted when a spot becomes available for the program.
 
If this program's criteria does not fit your teen's needs, please ask coordinators for additional resources and recommendations for other programs. 

Complete your application here: Friday Night Fever- MTN Interested New Participant!

 

Cost

 

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

 

 

Location    
 

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

Children’s Specialized Hospital

150 New Providence Road

Mountainside, NJ 07092

 

To register for Activity Connection programs click here.