PALS Program

For children enrolled in the Early Start Program, ages 24–36 months, funded through the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC).


Orange County

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Ages 24-36 months


1 on 1 Interaction


Small Groups


The Coyne PALS Center provides a social group for young children with developmental delays who reside in Orange County. Children attend PALS 1-2 times per week with same-age peers in a preschool setting. Emphasis is placed on teaching children the requisite skills needed to “graduate” to a typical preschool environment and, subsequently, to a general education kindergarten.

At the PALS Center, children participate both in small-group and 1:1 teaching interactions.

Small-group instruction utilizes several formats commonly associated with preschool classrooms including…

  • cooperative learning centers
  • circle time for songs, books, and sharing information
  • group gross motor activities (e.g., the freeze game or musical chairs)
  • and group art and sensory activities.

Specific goals are written for children who attend the PALS Center to target skill deficits in peer interaction skills, social pragmatics and communication, classroom-readiness skills, and observational learning.