P.A.L.S. (Partners in Action for Learning Social Skills) Community Mediation Center 22 Lawrence Avenue Smithtown, NY 11787 (631) 265-0490

RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE

Purpose: The P.A.L.S. Program is a violence prevention program that addresses victimization of children with neurobiological disorders including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and /or Tourette's Syndrome, ages 10-15, in Suffolk County. Children with these disorders share characteristics such as impairments in the social, emotional and cognitive domains that make them vulnerable to significant prejudice, harassment, bullying and, in some cases to becoming the perpetrators of violence themselves.

Description: P.A.L.S. uses community service learning projects as vehicles for teaching disabled and non-disabled kids to work together under trained staff. The goals are to: a) raise community awareness surrounding violence experienced and perpetrated by children with neurobiological disorders, b) to educate school personnel, youth-serving organizations and mental health professionals about the characteristics and behaviors exhibited by children with neurobiological disorders and c) to reduce the impact of violence on this population through community service learning activities designed to improved social interaction, conflict resolution skills, and self-esteem. Peer mediation training and community service activities help improve the social, emotional and communication deficits that make children with neurobiological disorders vulnerable to becoming victims or perpetrators of violence.

Funding: The program receives funding from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.