Group screenings are required for all groups. We are passionate about matching individuals based on their cognitive, language, and social functioning levels, and special interests. Acceptance into the groups is based on ability to benefit from a group and the match with current members.
current GROUPS
Young Adult 2e Minds Activity Groups
What: Ongoing social activity groups where we meet up to do social activities such as: bowling, board/card games, canoeing, museums, arts and crafts, creative writing, discussion, lunches, etc. These groups are different every month. Groups are divided by age or interest depending on the activity each month. Purpose of this group is to provide a safe supportive environment to improve social communication skills and meet new people with similar interests.
Where: Office or community setting
Who: For young adults out of high school who are 18-39 years old, identify as neurodivergent/ twice exceptional, self-aware of strengths and challenges, and could benefit from this kind of group. Group screen and intake required before joining to assess readiness and fit with current group. Most group members are in college, working, or in-between.
When: The 2nd Saturday of every month usually early afternoon time range
Cost: $60-$100 depending on activity and supplies
Current Status: This group takes ongoing referrals
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
Young Adult Neurodiversity Therapy Group
What: Smaller ongoing therapy group that focuses on improving mental health. Coping with challenges such as anxiety, OCD, depression, life changes, self-esteem, relationships.
Where: Online
Who: This group is for 2e young adults who identify as neurodiverse and want to work on therapy issues in a group setting with support from others with similar challenges. Most group members are currently between 26-39 years of age.
When: The 1st Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Cost: $75 per group
Current Status: Current openings
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
Parents of 2e Teens and Young Adults Group
What: This group is for parents of teens and young adults who are twice exceptional; a space to come together, identify resources, increase knowledge about raising 2e kids, and share experiences.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
When: Fourth Saturday of the month from 11:15am - 12:15pm.
Registration Details: This is an ongoing group. Payment is due in full upon registration. Refunds will be given one week after registration. There is no discount or refund for sessions that cannot be attended unless a session is cancelled by the facilitator due to emergency or illness.
Total Cost: $25 per parent
Contact: Email Jennifer Wells at [email protected]
Social Skills Group (Elementary Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as twice exceptional (2e). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as initiating and maintaining conversations, identifying and using non-verbal communication and cues, frustration tolerance, flexibility, working in a group/joining in play, and sharing/sportsmanship.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: This group is appropriate for elementary-aged students (ages 9-11) who are twice exceptional (2e), ready for group participation, and able to talk in turn with some prompting.
When: 1st Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:00am
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
2e Minds Adult Support Group/35 and up
What: This is an ongoing monthly support group for independent adults who identify as neurodivergent and/or autistic. Most current participants were diagnosed later in life, have careers, and families. The purpose of group is to provide a safe supportive environment where members can connect with other neurodivergent adults who have similar strengths and life challenges.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling Office Group Room
When: The 3rd Tuesday evening of each month
Cost: $75 per group
Openings: Group takes ongoing referrals
Group Screening & Intake required before acceptance into group
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
What: Ongoing social activity groups where we meet up to do social activities such as: bowling, board/card games, canoeing, museums, arts and crafts, creative writing, discussion, lunches, etc. These groups are different every month. Groups are divided by age or interest depending on the activity each month. Purpose of this group is to provide a safe supportive environment to improve social communication skills and meet new people with similar interests.
Where: Office or community setting
Who: For young adults out of high school who are 18-39 years old, identify as neurodivergent/ twice exceptional, self-aware of strengths and challenges, and could benefit from this kind of group. Group screen and intake required before joining to assess readiness and fit with current group. Most group members are in college, working, or in-between.
When: The 2nd Saturday of every month usually early afternoon time range
Cost: $60-$100 depending on activity and supplies
Current Status: This group takes ongoing referrals
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
Young Adult Neurodiversity Therapy Group
What: Smaller ongoing therapy group that focuses on improving mental health. Coping with challenges such as anxiety, OCD, depression, life changes, self-esteem, relationships.
Where: Online
Who: This group is for 2e young adults who identify as neurodiverse and want to work on therapy issues in a group setting with support from others with similar challenges. Most group members are currently between 26-39 years of age.
When: The 1st Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Cost: $75 per group
Current Status: Current openings
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
Parents of 2e Teens and Young Adults Group
What: This group is for parents of teens and young adults who are twice exceptional; a space to come together, identify resources, increase knowledge about raising 2e kids, and share experiences.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
When: Fourth Saturday of the month from 11:15am - 12:15pm.
Registration Details: This is an ongoing group. Payment is due in full upon registration. Refunds will be given one week after registration. There is no discount or refund for sessions that cannot be attended unless a session is cancelled by the facilitator due to emergency or illness.
Total Cost: $25 per parent
Contact: Email Jennifer Wells at [email protected]
Social Skills Group (Elementary Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as twice exceptional (2e). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as initiating and maintaining conversations, identifying and using non-verbal communication and cues, frustration tolerance, flexibility, working in a group/joining in play, and sharing/sportsmanship.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: This group is appropriate for elementary-aged students (ages 9-11) who are twice exceptional (2e), ready for group participation, and able to talk in turn with some prompting.
When: 1st Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:00am
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
2e Minds Adult Support Group/35 and up
What: This is an ongoing monthly support group for independent adults who identify as neurodivergent and/or autistic. Most current participants were diagnosed later in life, have careers, and families. The purpose of group is to provide a safe supportive environment where members can connect with other neurodivergent adults who have similar strengths and life challenges.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling Office Group Room
When: The 3rd Tuesday evening of each month
Cost: $75 per group
Openings: Group takes ongoing referrals
Group Screening & Intake required before acceptance into group
Contact: Email Melinda Grady Padolik at [email protected]
DEVELOPING GROUPS
These are groups that we are taking referrals in hopes to have enough participants to start a group. If interested, please email, or call the group leader listed as the contact.
Social Skills Group (Early Elementary Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as neurodivergent/twice exceptional (2e) and/or ASD Level 1 (diagnosis not required). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as initiating and maintaining conversations, making friends, frustration tolerance, flexibility, joining in play, and sharing, and turn-taking.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: This group is appropriate for early elementary-aged students (ages 6-8) who are ready for group participation and able to talk in turn with some prompting.
When: 1st Saturday of the month from 11:30am-12:30pm
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
Social Activity Group (Middle School Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as neurodivergent and/or twice exceptional (2e). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as interpersonal skills, building healthy relationships, communication skills, problem-solving, and safety and community participation. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe supportive environment to improve social communication skills and meet new, same-aged peers with similar interests.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office (community setting for certain social experiences/activities)
Who: This group is appropriate for middle school-aged students (ages 12-14) who are neurodivergent and/or twice exceptional (2e), ready for group participation, and able to talk in turn with minimal prompting.
When: 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:00am
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
Siblings Support Group
Neurodiversity affects the lives of all family members. Given that siblings have a significant and long-term role in a neurodivergent individual's life, this group is designed to specifically address their needs for information, support, and connection. Sibling support groups are great ways for siblings to come and connect with others who deal with the same issues as they do. These groups provide peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with autism and other related neurodivergencies.
What: A support group for siblings of individuals with autism and other related neurodivergencies in which participants will meet peers with similar experiences in a fun and friendly atmosphere, where they can discuss their common joys and challenges. They may learn how to handle situations they all face regularly and discuss the implications of having a brother or sister who is differently abled. This is accomplished through games, activities, crafts, and age-appropriate discussions.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: The approximate age range for these groups will be 6-18+; parents should decide whether they think their child would benefit from participating.
When: 1st and/or 3rd Saturday of each month (TBD depending on number of participants)
Cost: $25 per sibling per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
These are groups that we are taking referrals in hopes to have enough participants to start a group. If interested, please email, or call the group leader listed as the contact.
Social Skills Group (Early Elementary Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as neurodivergent/twice exceptional (2e) and/or ASD Level 1 (diagnosis not required). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as initiating and maintaining conversations, making friends, frustration tolerance, flexibility, joining in play, and sharing, and turn-taking.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: This group is appropriate for early elementary-aged students (ages 6-8) who are ready for group participation and able to talk in turn with some prompting.
When: 1st Saturday of the month from 11:30am-12:30pm
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
Social Activity Group (Middle School Students)
What: A social group intended to promote growth in social functioning through structured, guided
social skills activities for children identified as neurodivergent and/or twice exceptional (2e). We will use games, building, art, and other creative activities as a way to connect, learn about, and practice social competencies. We will explore topics such as interpersonal skills, building healthy relationships, communication skills, problem-solving, and safety and community participation. The purpose of this group is to provide a safe supportive environment to improve social communication skills and meet new, same-aged peers with similar interests.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office (community setting for certain social experiences/activities)
Who: This group is appropriate for middle school-aged students (ages 12-14) who are neurodivergent and/or twice exceptional (2e), ready for group participation, and able to talk in turn with minimal prompting.
When: 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:00am
Cost: $60 per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
Siblings Support Group
Neurodiversity affects the lives of all family members. Given that siblings have a significant and long-term role in a neurodivergent individual's life, this group is designed to specifically address their needs for information, support, and connection. Sibling support groups are great ways for siblings to come and connect with others who deal with the same issues as they do. These groups provide peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with autism and other related neurodivergencies.
What: A support group for siblings of individuals with autism and other related neurodivergencies in which participants will meet peers with similar experiences in a fun and friendly atmosphere, where they can discuss their common joys and challenges. They may learn how to handle situations they all face regularly and discuss the implications of having a brother or sister who is differently abled. This is accomplished through games, activities, crafts, and age-appropriate discussions.
Where: Exceptional Minds Counseling office
Who: The approximate age range for these groups will be 6-18+; parents should decide whether they think their child would benefit from participating.
When: 1st and/or 3rd Saturday of each month (TBD depending on number of participants)
Cost: $25 per sibling per group
Contact: Email Carla Himmelwright at [email protected]
