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Social Groups
Early Intervention Support Services
What are social groups?
Social groups run during the school holiday period in Victoria and Queensland. The sessions, running from Monday to Friday for two weeks, are designed and led by our Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, or Psychologists, and are supported by our Allied Health Assistants.
Each day is been developed to support children in increasing their confidence, gaining independence in the community, communication, motor skills, and experiencing sensory exposures. Each day has a different therapy focus and is paired with a different activity to ensure there is something for every child. Pending availability, children can attend any number of days desired. Our social groups include all associated costs and, if specified, transport from your local designated group collection points via a bus or minibus.
Activities
Past activities have included:
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Trampoline centres (Bounce, Latitude)
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Adventure theme parks
​(Luna Park, Enchanted Adventure Park, Movie World)
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Movies, bowling, and arcade sessions
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Sensory play sessions:
(Art in the Park, Sensory Playgrounds) -
Zoos and wildlife sanctuaries (Collingwood Children's Farm, Melbourne Zoo, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary)
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Children's museums (Scienceworks, Museum of Play & Art)
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Lesson/learning days (cooking, pottery, circus, tennis, bike riding and safety)
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School-readiness
What is the focus of social group therapy?
Motor Skills & Sensory Exposures
Motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate the movement of one's body, such as using the hands to manipulate objects, walking and running, and maintaining balance. Fine motor skills are the ability to use small muscle movements such as those in the hands and fingers, while gross motor skills involve the use of larger muscle groups such as those in the legs and core. Sensory exposures refer to experiences that stimulate the five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. Sensory experiences can be either calming or alerting, and can help to regulate a child's mood and behaviour. Our therapists choose activities that will target specific motor skills and sensory exposures to support children's development. For example, activities such as surfing lessons can help to improve children's balance and coordination, while playing with play dough can help to develop fine motor skills. Outdoor activities such as beach games, water parks, and gardening can provide children with exposure to various textures, smells, and sounds. Cooking classes can provide children with exposure to different tastes and smells. The activities are designed to be fun and engaging for children, to make learning and growing an enjoyable experience. Our therapists are trained to observe children's progress and adapt the activities accordingly to ensure that they are challenging but also appropriate to the child's abilities and needs.
Independence & Confidence in the Community
Developing independence and confidence in the community is a key component of our social skills therapy groups. By providing children with opportunities to participate in activities outside of their regular daily routine, they are challenged to use self-advocating techniques and adjust to changing situations. This can help to build their confidence and independence in unfamiliar environments. Being in a supportive environment that encourages children to step out of their comfort zone can also help to increase their confidence in social environments. It is not uncommon for children who attend our social groups to make friends with other children attending, which can further support their social development. Activities such as visiting new places, trying new things, and participating in group activities can all help to promote independence and confidence in the community. Our therapists carefully select activities that are appropriate for each child's abilities and needs, and provide ongoing guidance and support to help children succeed.
Social Skills & Communication
One of the main focuses of our social skills therapy groups is to support and encourage children to practice and develop their social skills and communication abilities. Our therapists incorporate activities that provide opportunities for children to practice pragmatic language skills, turn-taking, and emotional regulation strategies. For example, activities such as group games, discussions, and role-playing can help children to practice their communication skills and learn how to express themselves effectively. Our therapists also incorporate activities that help children to develop their turn-taking skills, such as board games, and activities that encourage children to regulate their emotions, such as mindfulness exercises. Additionally, our therapists provide guidance and feedback to children to help them understand the social cues and conventions that are used in different situations. They provide children with the tools they need to navigate social interactions, such as how to start a conversation, how to maintain eye contact and how to use appropriate body language.