Swords & Storytelling Social Clubs

Swords and Stories Social Club is a weekly gathering of neurodivergent young people who want
to engage with their peers and practice social communication in a gameified environment. The
Clubs are run by one of our Game Masters (Zarion Denney or Manny Rosen). Our SLP, Carleen
Couture Evans, helps facilitate social interaction (as needed). The environment is
neurodivergent-affirming and sensory-friendly, with lots of options for movement and
proprioceptive input. Groups will be held at Tova’s home in Studio City or Carleen’s
home/office in Studio City.

The Clubs
Dungeons & Dragons Social Club
Each group has 5-6 players and meets weekly in Studio City for a 3-hour session. Groups are
organized by age range, availability, and level of experience with D&D.
Our DM designs an imaginative world and campaign based on the interests and needs of the
group members. Our SLP helps facilitate social interaction and offers insights and observations
that the DM incorporates into the weekly adventures.

Tabletop Gaming Social Clubs
Tweens/Teens
For those who want to game and socialize without playing D & D, we have a group organized
around tabletop gaming. In this group, we involve the players in negotiations about what
games we will be playing, and facilitate any issues that arise (such as disputes about the rules,
behaviors that cause sensory discomfort for some members, and whatever else comes up). This
way, the players get practice using their problem-solving, self-regulation, and social skills in
real time. In previous sessions of this Club, the kids have been having a lot of fun, with much
laughter and bonding.

Kids
A third Social Club for younger kids will focus mostly on imaginative games, role play, and
improvisation, but will also include some card and tabletop games (depending on interest).
Stay tuned for…LARP (Live Action Role Play) Club: We are currently developing a LARP social club as well.

The Nitty-Gritty
• Each Social Club runs for 10 weeks, beginning in late August 2025. The cost is $1500 for the
entire 10 weeks, but you can pay on a weekly or monthly basis. If we have to cancel, we will
schedule a make-up session. If you are using SDP funds, I am registered with ACE FMS and
Mains’l FMS.
• We will not set the dates/times for the clubs until we decide on the composition of the
groups. Once you provide your child’s age and interest, as well as your contact information, I
will organize the groups and then send out a poll about your preferred days/times.

If you are interested in learning more, please copy and paste the following answers into
an email and send to me at therealdoctortova@gmail.com
• Your name, phone number, and/or email:
• How old is your child?
• Why do you think your child would benefit from or be a good fit for this Club?
• What weekday afternoons you are available?
• What weekend mornings or afternoons are you available?
• Are you interested in a daytime group (9-12 or 10-1)—this option would be best for
younger kids and/or homeschoolers
• Is your child familiar with D&D? If so, how much experience do they have?
• Is your child interested in the Tabletop Gaming club?

Our Team
Tova Cooper has a Ph.D in English with a specialization in education. She has published
extensively about alternative educational institutions and has trained teachers to create
inclusive educational environments. She is also the mother of two ND kids. Tova organizes the
Clubs, gets involved when necessary (sometimes as an NPC!), and provides snacks.

Carleen Couture Evans, MS, CCC-SLP, MFA, CLE is a Speech and Language Pathologist. She is
passionate about working with neuro-divergent children and their families, has additional
training and experience in executive functioning therapy, and has Sensory Integration
certification from USC. She attends the sessions, helps facilitate social interaction, and makes
observations that our GMs use as they develop each week’s adventures.

Zarion Denney has extensive experience teaching adaptive and social skills to neurodivergent
kids, teens, and adults. For the Club, Zarion leads adventures that allow the players to work on
social communication, teamwork, expressing differences of opinion, and feeling comfortable in
their peer group. Zarion incorporates improvisation, movement, and acting techniques into the
sessions, and always brings in something fun to do during movement breaks.

Manny Rosen is a creative, fun, and brilliant presence who is great with neurodivergent folks.
Aside from being an awesome Dungeon Master and wonderful mandolin player, Manny has
experience working as an in-school aide (BII) in the LAUSD. Manny might even invite kids to
role-play in his home-brewed imaginary world.