What is SIGNA?

- A skills training program developed for UMD college students that offers specialized training in social communication, executive functioning, and self-advocacy skills in individual and group settings. There is a particular emphasis on educating members Theory of Mind and increasing awareness of others' perspectives throughout the program.
- SIGNA offers two groups:
- First year SIGNA members enroll in SIGNA, a group is based on the PEERS® for Young Adults curriculum, an evidence-based program by Dr. Laugeson for "motivated adults who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or developing romantic relationships." Members learn about
- Conversation skills
- Making and keeping friends
- Listening skills
- Interview skills
- Interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language
- Navigating campus life and the professional world
- Understanding and expressing humor, figurative language, and idioms
- Understanding emotions and perspective of others
- Dating and romantic relationships
- See more information on the program here: https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers/young-adults
- Second SIGNA members enroll in SIGNA Launch, a group is based on the RealCareer™ Employability Skills Program, which uses hands-on activities as well as real-world applications to teach soft skills, from communication and interpersonal skills to time management and responsibility. See more information on the program here: https://www.realityworks.com/product/realcareer-employability-skills-program/
- First year SIGNA members enroll in SIGNA, a group is based on the PEERS® for Young Adults curriculum, an evidence-based program by Dr. Laugeson for "motivated adults who are interested in making and keeping friends and/or developing romantic relationships." Members learn about
Enrollment in the SIGNA program includes a year-long membership with the following components:
A full executive functioning and communication evaluation |
When a member first joins SIGNA, they will complete a full executive functioning and communication evaluation from a HESP graduate student. They will receive the initial report as well as a progress report at the end of each semester summarizing their goals and achievements of that semester. |
Weekly group meetings |
The weekly group meetings are run by undergraduate Peer Coaches for first year SIGNA and by HESP graduate students for the SIGNA Launch group. Group meetings are taught in a seminar style and involve active participation of the members as well as role plays and weekly assignments related to the topic discussed each week.
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Weekly individual sessions |
Each member will meet with their Communication Coach weekly, either in 2 50-minute sessions or 1 90-minute session, to work on individualized executive functioning and communication goals determined by the initial report.
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Peer Mentor check-ins |
First year SIGNA members will be assigned an undergraduate Peer Mentor who they will meet with weekly to go over homework assigned in the group meetings and to discuss real-life social situations.
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