Our Group Therapy programs for kids across different ages started during the coronavirus outbreak. We’re continuing some of them into school Term 3 because of their popularity and following great feedback from parents.
These range of programs will keep children, engaged, busy and active and will ensure they reach their therapy goals. The groups are very small in order to allow plenty of opportunities for social interaction and are led by a qualified therapist.
They’re available for younger children and school aged children and start on Wednesday 22nd July. Early intervention sessions, which are sessions targeted for younger children are held in the morning with sessions for older children scheduled later in the day after school has finished.
Social Thinkers
For 8 – 12 year olds, starting Thursday 23 July at 5:30pm EST. This afterschool online program gives your child a chance to practice and improve their social thinking, language and skills in a setting with peers, from your own home.
The course covers areas such as:
- Encouraging self-control – managing temper outbursts and repetitive/rigid/impulsive behaviour.
- Promoting play – ideas and tools to help support and initiate play between others.
- Emotional regulation – being able to respond and manage situations and encouraging others to exert control over their emotions.
- Appropriate reactions – helping children to identify the size of problems and react appropriately or ask for help from adults.
- Team work – encouraging collaborative work and offering support.
- Social communication/interaction – exploring opportunities for children to engage in talking at appropriate times.
Cost: $64.66 per session.
Client perspectives
It’s invaluable to hear directly from our clients and to receive their feedback on these sessions. Janelle Gleeson is mum to nine-year-old Jordy Colquhoun and they live in Hobart in Tasmania. Her son is on the autism spectrum. Communication problems are a feature of autism and can make it difficult for people to share and react in an appropriate manner.
Janelle explains that she was keen for Jordy to do the Social Thinkers course to improve his social skills.
“During the first few sessions he was quiet, but when he got to know everyone, there was real comradery. Jordy was eager to meet his friends online every week. He was greeted with warm enthusiasm,’’ she explains.
“As the weeks went on, I could see he was leaning to be patient, not to butt in when others were talking. He became what I would call ‘an active participant’ and a contributor to discussions.’’
Janelle says the break-out sessions when Jordy had one-on-one time was also beneficial.
“It was a great combination to have group involvement and time on their own. One of the highlights was when they produced a play, working together as team. They learnt to take it in turns for their speaking part. It also gave Jordy better understanding interpreting social cues.’’
Jordy took part using a mobile phone, so the sessions were easy to access. It was Jordy who asked if he could continue with the program into term 3.
“He just said ‘Mum I’d love to do it again’, that’s a real testament that he’s found it very engaging and interesting.’’
Online ease and convenience
The Social Thinkers online program was also beneficial 10-year-old Louis Masarei- Boulton, who has a vision impairment and is also on the autistic spectrum.
“I wanted Louis to develop his listening skills and this course offered that opportunity,’’ explains mum Melanie.
“It was social, but also structured. I am always driving from place to place with activities with my four children, so it was an added convenience that it was online,’’ she adds.
“Louis is very talkative, he needs to be aware when others are speaking around him, to understand when he can talk and when he shouldn’t. I am keen for him to develop skills which can transfer into the classroom and beyond.’’
Session Details
Each session lasts 45 minutes and will be at the same time every week. Funding is available through the NDIS (link opens in new window) or through fee for service.
For more information, contact us or call us on 1800 484 333 to find out more.