Social Skills Development Groups
Social Skills Development Groups
Small group intervention delivered online for kids aged 7-14
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Why Choose Online Small Group Sessions to Develop Social Skills?
Why Choose Online Small Group Sessions to Develop Social Skills?
Our innovative online social skills development programs provide invaluable opportunities for neurodivergent children to enhance their social and communication skills in the comfort of their own home. These sessions incorporate a variety of online tools and platforms, all strategically utilised within a therapeutic framework aimed at achieving measurable outcomes and progress aligned with each participant's NDIS goals.
WHAT IT IS NOT: This is NOT gaming therapy or sessions for mere entertainment.
WHAT IT IS: Our programs are thoughtfully designed by skilled professionals to develop and strengthen social and cognitive skills of children with autism. Our groups are run by Ruan, our CEO who is an experienced, registered educator with extensive experience in special needs education. Additionally, they receive oversight and support from our senior occupational therapist.
HOW, WHERE AND WHY? Conducted in a supportive and engaging private and safe online environment, these sessions allow children to safely interact and connect with peers under the guidance of an experienced special needs educator. All this occurs in the comfort and safety of their own homes. This safe, low demand and highly engaging format not only encourages consistent participation but also enables personalised attention to each child’s unique needs, fostering significant advances in their social interactions.
WHAT DO OUR SESSIONS LOOK LIKE?
WHAT DO OUR SESSIONS LOOK LIKE?
Participants
Our online social skills development program is tailor-made for children between 7 and 14 years old, who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or encounter challenges in social situations. Ideally, each group comprises a maximum of 4 children, within the following age ranges:
7-8 years old
9-10 years old
11-12 years old
13-14 years old
Staffing
Leading our sessions is Ruan, a highly skilled and registered teacher, boasting additional accreditations in Early Childhood Development and extensive experience in Special Education. Ruan is on the verge of completing additional postgraduate studies in special education. As the parent of two autistic children with complex needs, Ruan brings both a deeply personal and professional perspective to his work. Additionally, we are privileged to collaborate with a diverse range of professionals across the allied health and special educational sectors.
Session format
Our online social skills sessions run for 90 minutes and follow a clear structure. They cover various social skills themes and are open for enrollment year-round.
Each session begins with the facilitator introducing a fun ice breaker activity ensuring engagement and connection between participants. A social skills topic is then introduced. Group discussions follow, leading to planned activities on devices, aligned with the theme. Free interaction intervals provide natural peer practice with the guidance of the facilitator. Our activities are designed with engaging, interest based technology tools, games and platforms.
We consider sensory needs, and include play based and fun movement breaks and alternate activities. While we allocate time, flexibility is vital. Encouraging spontaneous positive interactions within a structured session remains a key goal, fostering genuine skill use and further development.
SESSION EXAMPLE:
SESSION EXAMPLE:
(Please note that although this specific example uses the Minecraft platform, it is only one of the multiple tools we use as part of a structured session containing multiple activities and various tools to deliver a social skills development session with measurable outcomes.)
Hello and Ice Breaker using platforms such as Google Meet Filters or Zoom
Opportunity for each participant to share impactful events of their week
Review group rules
Introduce social skills topic: What is cooperation?
Talk as a group about what it means to cooperate and use examples in real life
Discuss today’s activity: Making a roller coaster in Minecraft
Talk as a group about cooperating to build with their partners. Discuss materials, placement, types of rails, etc.
Design and build roller coasters in pairs
Sensory break with movement activity
Discuss what features kids have used in their rollercoasters
Provide opportunities for each team to give positive feedback to the other team
Explain the home challenge
Home challenge: Find an opportunity to cooperate with your parents or siblings. For example:
Help your brother or sister pack up some toys
Help mum unload the dishwasher
Build a LEGO spaceship with your dad
Ask participants to share an idea of what they will do for their home challenge
Say goodbye
HOW DO WE SIGN UP?
HOW DO WE SIGN UP?
Contact us to receive an e-brochure with more info on costs, what‘s included, tech requirements and times available. This will help you make an informed decision before signing up for the program and enrolling your child.
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