Group Empowerment Classes are live, web-based classes offered twice a week, every week on Monday and Tuesday at 4 pm EST. Additionally, three bonus/make-up classes are offered each week: Wednesday/Thursday at 7:30 pm EST, Fridays at 4 pm EST.

Other bonus offerings include: 

•  A safe space to share experiences (text and video), discuss challenges, celebrate victories, and provide mutual support. Learn more.
• 24/7 email access to teacher Monday-Friday. 
• Self-paced lessons with videos and workbooks.

Individual Empowerment Classes are live, web-based classes offered 4x/month with flexible scheduling to fit your needs.

These 1-on-1 classes focus on:

• Building strategies toward meaningful, personal outcomes such as building more friendships, effectively communicating, working on independence, and creating engaging hobbies and recreational opportunities.
• Students have worked with our teachers to start a YouTube channel, used graphic design to create self regulation posters, create systems to manage finances and paperwork, personal hygiene and safety, relationship dynamics, sex- education and independently navigate new technology to communicate using different channels.

(Virtual) Classroom

Whether you choose group classes, individual classes, or both, the main emphasis of Open the Lid's Empowerment Classes are live Zoom classes. The content covered in live classes is powerful. During class, participants have the opportunity to discuss their lives, ask questions, share breakthroughs and get input from the group or teacher. We reinforce concepts and create opportunities for more individualized reflection in the workbooks. 

The workbooks act like homework and give you the opportunity to put what you learn into practice. 

The bonus videos, created to accompany the workbook, are designed to make content more accessible to hesitant readers or auditory learners. 

Students still benefit from the live classes even if they choose not to do the workbooks or bonus videos. However, they will understand the concepts more deeply with this additional independent practice.

NYS OPWDD and NJ DDD

Classes may be approved for reimbursement through OPWDD self-direction funding as a “community class." 

Caregivers face unique challenges. Open the Lid can help. Our caregiver offerings help you implement strategies to navigate more effectively through home, community and educational settings to move through each day with more clarity and direction.

Open the Lid on demand mini-courses are webinar courses that include video lessons, worksheets, supportive emails. They are packed with actionable information taught in a few short videos for quick but meaningful change. 

Current Course: