What Sets Our Social Skills Groups Apart?
Therapists & Group Efficacy Studies
- We have done efficacy studies and surveys on our groups of the last 14 years that have made them improve.
- Our therapists have undergone "Social Thinking Training" as part of our curriculum we use which includes: We Thinkers, Thosto, Social detective and Superflex.
- They are co-led any an occupational therapist we don't use assistants.
What Your Child Works On
- Regulation to help them attend their fine and gross motor skills as well as pragmatic (social) language.
- Our sensory gym provides opportunities for gross motor activities & motor planning.
- Free play with one another to do unstructured play with support of the therapists to play together, negotiate, problem solve and make connections.
How we Assess Individual Needs in a Group Setting
- We screen every child to make sure the group is a good match not just by age, but individual need and personality.
- We write measurable goals for each child participating in group to track their progress.
- A tailored approach to each family's goal areas (i.e., more practice perspective-taking, problem solving, regulation and coping strategies, etc.)
Communication
- We typically have 4-6 kids in a group and we give weekly summaries for you to share with teachers and therapists with useful language in addition to a conference.
- Collaboration with outside therapists, teachers, camp counselors, etc. to ensure carryover of skills and language used for optimal success for each child.
- Frequent communication available via telephone or email to problem-solve if concerns arise between parents, school, community, etc.
Sensory Based Social Skills GroupsThe group is led by a licensed and certified Occupational therapist.. We use concepts and teachings from Michelle Garcia Winner's social thinking curriculum. We assist children with regulating their body and emotions so that can attend to peers in the group setting. Once they display increased attention they can work on problem solving, initiation and interaction with others. To accomplish this we use our sensory gym in addition to learning concepts from The Zones of Regulation which our therapists are trained in.
The groups are occupation centered helping children in their role as a peer, child and student. We then develop the curriculum and goals of the group with the child and their families goals in mind. Our groups encompass both fine and gross motor movement, focus and attention and play. Weekly summaries are given so that others can use the language and skills the child learns in their day to day life. We will collaborate with other professionals that your child works with in order to assist with the transfer of skill development. |
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What Our Clients Are Saying
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"Erin and her associates have served as consultants to our school for the past three years. Erin has offered relevant and meaningful professional development around issues such as motor development and sensory needs of young students. Her team has provided tremendous insight into how to support students and develop plans to specifically meet their needs. Erin is extremely knowledgeable, passionate and professional and has been an integral resource to the faculty and families in our learning community." -Cindy Rigling, Head of Lower School GEMS World Academy Chicago |
