A Clinical Social Skills and Group Therapy Program for Elementary Aged Kids with ADHD, Anxiety, AuDHD, and Autism on Minecraft

Navigating the Overworld

Wednesdays 4–5pm ET · Elementary aged (12 year olds welcome)

Led by Victoria Prisco, Special Education Teacher, Creative Arts Therapist, ADHD Clinical Services Provider, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist with nearly two decades working with neurodivergent kids.

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Victoria Prisco leading social skills group for kids with transitions and anxiety

Is this your kid?

Maybe your child walks into a birthday party and doesn’t say hello. They’ll talk about their favorite subject, but a back-and-forth conversation is harder to hold onto. If a game or conversation doesn’t go the way they pictured it, they’d rather walk away and do their own thing. Compromise is hard. Owning a mistake is hard. Remembering to ask a friend to play again later is hard.

Or maybe it’s the opposite. Your child needs to get a thought out the second it happens, even if someone else is still talking. They make a move before they think it through, then have to deal with how it made someone else feel. They remember to include people, just not always their names, so it comes out as “hey girl” instead. Big feelings come fast and get hurt easily, and making friends, and keeping them, has been the hard part.

Whichever one sounds like your kid, they’re not alone in it, and groups are organized with that in mind. Your child ends up alongside kids who understand exactly what they’re working through, building friendships and self-esteem together

Goals of This Program

Creating a safe space for kids who are loud, impulsive, and quick to react to build social skills, emotional narrative, and friendships that last.

Social Skills

Kids in this group tend to be loud, impulsive, and quick to react. Sessions can get chaotic, plans change fast, and it's not unusual for a build to get blown up mid-session. Real-time coaching turns those same moments into practice for waiting a turn, noticing a social cue, and repairing after a conflict, building life skills like self-regulation, patience, and conflict resolution.

This is a social skills and therapeutic process program. It is not a behavioral support program, and it will not move the needle on bullying behavior.

Enhanced Emotional Narrative

Kids work from a digital workbook that turns a big reaction into language. Homework pages help kids name a big emotion, talk through what led to it, work out how to manage it better next time, and share coping skills that worked for them with the rest of the group.

Characteristics of Being a Good Friend

Kids work off a reward system built to boost self esteem and self confidence: digital trading cards for demonstrating specific social skills, and printable awards for showing the characteristics of a good friend. Victoria and peers can both nominate a child for a card or award, so the skill is reinforced by the whole group, not just from the front of the room.

Parents of Children Who Have Attented The Program Say:

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 47 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Kerri Nertney 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Minecraft Social Skills Group has been a positive experience for my son. He looks forward to it every week. I love seeing him connect with others and to see his excitement. Victoria does an excellent job keeping the kids on track and working with them to navigate strong feelings appropriately. Im very glad we found this group as it is the first activity I signed him up for that he does not try to get out of going.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dr. Cinnamon Martin, PT, DPT, MSE 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son has participated in a Minecraft group therapy cohort and it has been so great to see him interact and grow in his ability to listen, wait, and game cooperatively. Victoria is great in this setting, helping the students to "be" with each other in a safe space, and helping them to problem-solve and troubleshoot together.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Maricela Krewson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We love this cohort for my neurodiverse kiddos. They enjoy the comradery and don’t even realize they are actually learning how to socialize better. My oldest is quiet and not very social, but the group has brought out his social side. My youngest deals with impulsivity and speaking out of turn. He’s learning patience and to wait to speak. I can see a difference in the way they are handling interaction now. I can totally recommend this cohort for any type of neurodiverse kiddo. Your kiddos will love it!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alix Genter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My 8-year-old with ADHD/ASD absolutely loves being part of this Minecraft Social Skills group! He is very comfortable with his peers and enjoys interacting and collaborating with them in their virtual world. Since he started about 7 months ago, he has become more adept at managing his emotions and flexible in adapting to change--which is huge for him--and seems happier at school, home, and out in the world. Victoria is very responsive to parent concerns and regularly communicates about how he's doing. I highly recommend this group for any kid who loves video games and could use some social guidance!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stephanie Denison 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We cannot say enough positive things about this Minecraft cohort. Our 8-year-old has ADHD, Autism, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and finding a space that feels both safe and engaging has always been a challenge. This program exceeded our expectations in every way.

The structure is thoughtfully designed with neurodivergent kids in mind. Ms. Victoria clearly understands how ADHD brains work, there’s enough freedom to explore and create, while still providing gentle guidance and consistency. Our child stayed engaged without feeling overwhelmed or pressured, which is something we rarely see.

What truly stood out to us was the peer support aspect. The cohort fostered a kind, accepting environment where differences were normalized and respected. Our child felt understood, not singled out. They were able to practice social skills naturally through gameplay, collaboration, and problem-solving, all while building confidence and friendships at their own pace.

For anxiety, this program was a game changer. The familiar and comforting Minecraft setting helped reduce stress, and the predictable routine made participation feel safe. We saw our child become more comfortable speaking up, taking initiative, and handling small frustrations ; skills that are incredibly hard to teach in traditional settings.

As parents, it was incredibly reassuring to see our child genuinely excited to attend, proud of their creations, and happy to talk about the friends they made. This cohort is more than just a Minecraft group, it’s a supportive community that truly understands neurodivergent kids.

We highly recommend this program to any family looking for a meaningful, well-run, and compassionate social experience for their child.

We will be returning with our child, hopefully in the next cohort!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jennifer Nuno 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Victoria is incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate, especially when it comes to supporting clients with ADHD and challenges related to executive function skills. She creates a space that feels both safe and empowering, helping clients build practical strategies that actually work in real life. Anyone in Philadelphia, PA looking for thoughtful, effective support around ADHD would be in excellent hands here.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sarah Flores 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend! The immense knowledge combined with the sound practical help given is basically magic! Tell your friends, share the contact, you will be well on your way to progress!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chenelle Eastman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've had the pleasure of working alongside Victoria and can confidently say she is an incredibly compassionate, skilled, and dedicated therapist. Her ability to create a safe, supportive space for clients is truly admirable. She brings deep insight, empathy, and professionalism to every session. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for meaningful, effective support in their mental health journey!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sabrina 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Level Up Wellness offers a safe, supportive space where those struggling with ADHD can understood and improve executive functioning skills.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alyshia Collins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Victoria is an excellent chocie for ADHD, anxiety, and remaining solution-focused. Highly recommend if you need help with executive function!

Why Minecraft?

As a teacher and creative arts therapist, I used to have a lot of conversations with kids after something had already happened.

What went wrong? What could you have done differently? What were you thinking in that moment?

Talking afterward only gets you so far. Some kids can explain exactly what happened. Others insist they did nothing wrong or genuinely cannot see why everyone is upset. Either way, recognizing the problem afterward does not automatically give a child the ability to catch it next time.

Neurodivergent kids often learn best through hands-on practice. That is why Minecraft and in-the-moment coaching can reach places that an after-the-fact conversation cannot.

Kids interrupt. Plans change without warning. Someone acts before thinking, and a disagreement begins. It is the same chain of events that can quietly derail a friendship at the lunchroom table, on the playground, or during a playdate.

I am live in the Realm and on the call when those moments happen. I help kids slow down, notice what is going on, communicate what they need, consider another perspective, and repair the interaction while they are still in it.

Children with ADHD often receive frequent correction and negative feedback from adults and peers. Over time, those repeated messages can affect how a child sees themselves and their ability to succeed socially. (ChADD)

In this group, a child is not singled out and removed from their peers to discuss what went wrong. Everyone is practicing something. Kids see that they are not the only ones who interrupt, misunderstand, become overwhelmed, or need another chance. Just as importantly, they have opportunities to notice one another’s progress and support each other through difficult moments.

I’m Victoria Prisco, a Special Education Teacher with a master’s degree in art therapy, and I am present in every session.

ChatGPT Image Jun 9, 2026, 12_48_35 PM (1)

Review the work that happens during each phase and how the phases build on eachother

Kids meet weekly on Google Meet and, at the same time, on a private Minecraft Bedrock realm limited to 10 invited players.

Kids need their own Minecraft account and their own copy of Bedrock, which works on almost any device: computer, Switch, tablet, phone, Xbox, or PlayStation. They'll need one device for Minecraft and a separate device or screen for Google Meet.

A couple of things worth checking ahead of time, since they can lead to big emotions before group even starts:

Make sure your kid's device has enough RAM to keep up. Ten kids building and moving around at once can slow a system down or cause it to freeze, and that's a hard way to start a session.
Minecraft updates often. If you have parental controls on your kid's device, set aside a few minutes before group to check for and install updates, so your kid isn't stuck watching on camera, feeling left out, while everyone else plays.

Kids receive a digital and printable workbook and complete assignments outside of session, then bring them into session to talk through.

Art Therapy About Me assignments help kids share who they are, and lead to kids connecting beyond Minecraft.
Executive Function worksheets help kids plan and organize for special groups, like show and tell, or asking a friend to join outside of group.
Visual emotion worksheets, like the one below, help kids name emotions, share what leads to them, and figure out what helps them cope. Kids have a lot of "me too" moments talking about diagnoses, medications, coping skills, and emotional reactions.

Roller Coaster of Emotions workbook page, an example homework assignment

Example emotion worksheet: Roller Coaster of Emotions

Each phase, kids set goals for which social skills they're working toward, then get a chance mid-phase and at the end of the phase to reflect on how it went: what got in the way, and what was hard about trying to earn a card.

Kids have the opportunity to earn 8 different social skill trading cards per phase for demonstrating specific, improved communication skills. Cards can be awarded by Victoria or by a peer who noticed the improvement.

Each phase, kids also work toward two different printable character awards, for demonstrating the qualities of being a good friend. Awards are given out by either Victoria or a peer.

Minecraft play stays unstructured, giving kids a chance to receive guidance and coaching from Victoria as play naturally unfolds, whether that's responding to a build that's blown up, or encouraging peers to coordinate and play together.

Outside of the play, Victoria brings focused weekly coaching topics into group, along with planned conversation starters to help kids talk about positive moments, their wins for the week, and "me too" moments.

Take a few minutes to look over a sample calendar from each phase below, so you can see how closely the program's focus matches what you're hoping for your child this year.

Phase 1 parent calendar → Phase 2 parent calendar → Phase 3 parent calendar →

See how each phase is structured, and how they build on one another as the year goes on.

The Fall parent calendar shows what's coming each week: coaching focus, conversation starters, homework assignments, and any special celebration groups.

Download the Fall parent calendar →

Skill cards kids can earn this adventure

I Greeted Everyone Two Groups in a Row I Waited for My Turn to Talk I Asked Someone How Their Day Was I Asked for Help I Started a Conversation I Invited Someone to Join Me I Shared an Idea with the Group I Noticed When It Was Time to Listen

Character awards available this adventure

Brave Communicator Community Builder

Worksheets kids receive this adventure

Minecraft Club Introduction: a welcome worksheet where kids share their name, set a goal for group, and draw their Minecraft character
Show & Tell prep worksheet: helps kids plan what they'll bring and share with the group
Mid-Phase Reflection: a check-in on how group is going halfway through the phase
Roller Coaster of Emotions: a worksheet for naming what's building up before a big feeling, what it feels like, and what helps them ride it out
End-of-Phase Reflection: looking back at what they're proud of before moving into Winter

The Winter parent calendar shows what's coming each week: coaching focus, conversation starters, homework assignments, and any special celebration groups.

Download the Winter parent calendar →

Skill cards kids can earn this adventure

I Remembered and Used Everyone's Names I Asked Before I Changed the Plan I Stayed in a Conversation I Didn't Start I Listened Without Interrupting I Noticed How Someone Else Was Feeling I Responded When Someone Shared Their Feelings I Read the Room and Adjusted What I Was Doing I Considered Someone Else's Point of View

Character awards available this adventure

Thoughtful Friend Social Detective

Worksheets kids receive this adventure

Show & Tell prep worksheet: helps kids plan what they made and want to share with the group
Artwork Quest: designing a new Minecraft character and naming that character's social or friendship strength
Mid-Phase Reflection
Unlocking the Keys to a Successful Group: identifying what helps them be a strong group member, and a plan for what to do when they get stuck
Building Your Village: planning how to ask a friend to play after group, including a worksheet for working through the social worry that can come with asking
Minecraft Me: a feelings check-in and self-expression page for introducing themselves to the group
End-of-Phase Reflection

The Spring parent calendar shows what's coming each week: coaching focus, conversation starters, homework assignments, and any special celebration groups.

Download the Spring parent calendar →

Skill cards kids can earn this adventure

I Communicated My Needs Clearly I Reached Out to a Friend I Compromised on a Group Decision I Had a Back-and-Forth Conversation I Tried Someone Else's Idea I Accepted Direction from a Peer I Used Humor That Helped Everyone Have Fun I Worked Through a Misunderstanding with a Friend

Character awards available this adventure

Team Player Good Friend

Worksheets kids receive this adventure

Show & Tell prep worksheet: helps kids plan what to bring that represents who they are
Artwork Quest: designing an identity banner that reflects their strengths and how they show friendship
Mid-Phase Reflection
When Group Pushes My Buttons: identifying personal triggers in group and their own ways to reset
Level Up Your Self-Care: a self-care and stress management planning worksheet
Building Your Village: planning to ask a friend to play, and a plan to stay connected with friends after the program ends
Prickly or Protected: working through social anxiety, boundaries, and brave next steps in group
End-of-Phase Reflection

September Registration Now Open

Complete the form to enroll, or verify benefits

Parent Name(Required)

First Last

Child Name(Required)

First

Child age(Required)

Group is for kids ages 8 and up

Session Time(Required)

Tuesday 2pm - 3pm ET (Elementary)

Attendance(Required)

Full Year

One Phase

What I am hoping my child gains from this program

My Insurance plan is through my employer and benefits are with:(Required)

Aetna

BCBS

UHC

I am not in network with any other providers. Submitting an insurance card with another provider means I will not be reaching out to you, as I cannot submit claims to insurance that I'm not in network with.

Primary person on the accounts full name, as it appears through insurance(Required)

Primary person on the accounts DOB(Required)

Child's full name(Required)

Child's DOB(Required)

Address as it appears on the account(Required)

Front of Insurance Card(Required)

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Back of Insurance Card(Required)

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My child has a secondary insurance plan(Required)

Yes

Child's Diagnosis(Required)

A diagnosis is required for an insurance claim. I will not be diagnosing in group, so if using insurance your child must already have a diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. This track was built with ADHD kids in mind. Kids who move fast, react big, talk over others, and struggle to think things through before acting are exactly who this group is designed for. The program works on social awareness, social skills, and friendship building in real time, inside an environment that mirrors the situations where ADHD makes things hardest.

This group does not promise friendship. What it does is give kids the tools to show up for others if and when they choose to. For autistic kids with low social interest, the goal is not to create a desire for friendship but to build the life skills that make connection possible. Learning names, tolerating someone else's way of doing things, having a back and forth conversation on someone else's topic. These are skills that matter beyond friendship, including in the workplace.

Yes. This is one of the most common challenges in this group. Holding back an impulsive thought, waiting to speak, and staying in a conversation without taking it over are core skills in Phase 2. Kids are coached in real time when these moments happen, not in a debrief afterward.

Yes. This is one of the clearest signs a child is ready for this group. Doing well one on one but struggling in groups means the social skills are there in a controlled setting but have not transferred to real peer situations. That is exactly the gap this program addresses.

This is one of the most important questions to sit with before enrolling. Tuition is non-refundable once enrollment is complete, so it is worth thinking through honestly. If your child shuts completely down when something does not go their way and refuses to return, if they need immediate adult intervention to regulate after a hard moment, or if a peer pointing a finger at them would end the session entirely, this group may not be the right fit yet. This group is not the right environment if your child currently needs a resource room, self-contained classroom, or 1:1 behavioral support to get through a structured activity. If you are unsure, reach out before enrolling.

Kids participate independently with no adults or support staff in the room, so a BSC, ABA therapist, mobile therapist, or individual therapist can't sit in on the session. This group runs alongside that work, not replacing it. If your child is also receiving individual therapy billed to insurance, keep in mind insurance typically only covers one mental health service per day, so that needs to be scheduled on a different day than group.

This group runs on one rule: treat others with kindness. A child who's intentionally mean to a peer or breaks something someone else built is placed in visitor mode. Three visitor-mode incidents across three sessions in a row means the group isn't the right fit right now, tuition isn't refunded in that case. This setting can coach kids through impulsive or careless moments, but it can't treat or change ongoing bullying behavior, and it isn't fair to the peers who are here to connect. If you're not sure whether this describes your child, reach out before enrolling.

No. Kids need a quiet, stable environment with a reliable internet connection, a screen for Minecraft, and a separate device for Google Meet. Participating from a car creates too many technical and environmental barriers including poor connection, background noise, and no stable surface for gameplay. A dedicated private space where your child can focus is required.

No. This is a social skills and communication coaching group. The work is helping kids understand how their actions land on the people around them and practice different ways of communicating needs, setting boundaries, and expressing concerns. If your child's primary need right now is behavior management, that support should be in place before joining this group.

All three tracks serve kids with ADHD, AuDHD, and ASD, the difference is in what each track focuses on, not the diagnosis. Navigating the Overworld is for kids who want friends but struggle when play gets loud, flexible, exciting, or unpredictable, working on impulsivity, flexible thinking, and repair after conflict. The workbook focuses on big emotions and what makes a group successful, not social anxiety. Finding Your Village is a life transitions and social skills group for kids rebuilding their support system after a move, divorce, school change, illness, or loss, and its workbook centers on social anxiety and reaching out to peers. Minecraft Connection Club is a separate track for homeschooled kids and teens building life skills and a consistent friendship group. If your child's biggest challenge is impulse control and big emotions rather than a life transition or social anxiety, Navigating the Overworld is likely the right fit.

Kids aren't placed based on diagnosis, ADHD, AuDHD, and ASD show up across all three tracks. Placement is about community and which challenges are most present. Kids working on impulsivity and big emotions end up together here, so the moments that come up in group, holding back an impulsive thought, tolerating someone else's plan, staying in a conversation, feel relevant to everyone in the room.

Not to enroll. A diagnosis isn't required to join the program. If you're planning to use insurance, though, a diagnosis is required for a claim, and insurance also requires session notes that reflect medical necessity for each session.

The program is open to kids ages 8 and up. For neurodivergent kids, physical age and social age don't always match. A 13-year-old who's creative, loves imaginative play, and connects more naturally with younger kids belongs in a group that reflects where they actually are socially, kids over 12 who are developmentally younger, or who simply socialize better with a younger group, are welcome here. On the younger end, kids under 8 generally don't yet have the emotional processing or narrative understanding to work through the workbook the way an older kid does, which means the program wouldn't build their confidence and self-esteem the way it's meant to. That's why 8 is the starting point, not an arbitrary cutoff.

It depends on why. Some kids prefer solo play because group interaction has historically been overwhelming, confusing, or not worth the effort. If that's the case, this group gives them a structured, low-stakes environment to try again with coaching support. But if your child is genuinely uninterested in peer connection and would resist participating, the group is not a good fit right now. This program works best when a child has some motivation to connect, even if they don't yet know how.

Yes, and specifically because it is unpredictable. Most social skills programs practice skills in calm, controlled settings and then the skills fall apart the moment things get loud or fast. Minecraft is loud, collaborative, and unpredictable in exactly the ways that trip neurodivergent kids up every day. Kids talk over each other, change the plan, ignore boundaries, and do exactly what kids do. Victoria is live in the game and on the call, coaching through those moments as they happen. Skills practiced here transfer because they are learned in conditions that match real life.

Yes. Online environments can actually be easier for some autistic kids because they remove some of the sensory and social demands of in-person interaction while still requiring real communication, flexibility, and repair. Minecraft in particular gives kids a shared task to focus on, which can make conversation feel more natural. Over the course of the year, kids in this group interact with the same peers repeatedly. That repetition, familiarity with names and play styles, and shared history of building things together is often where real connection begins.

No. This program is only available to families in the United States. Enrollment is built around insurance billing with in-network commercial plans, so it isn't offered internationally at this time.