'Social thinking' skills help us to form happy, healthy relationships with the people around us.
This program is designed for children who would benefit from extra teaching, reminders, support and/or practice with social skills, social language concepts, vocabulary and engaging in every day social interactions.
The program we implement is called the "We Thinkers! Social Explorers", and incorporates direct teaching, play-based learning, group interactions and parent education to encourage generalisation of each new social skill to everyday life!
By the end of this program, children will have made new friends and developed a new way of thinking about social interactions.
Our popular literacy booster camps are currently suspended due to Covid-19
GOALS
Topics covered in the Social Thinking program include:
- Thinking Thoughts and Feeling Feelings (Classroom Adventure)
- The Group Plan (Adventure on the Farm)
- Thinking with Your Eyes (Adventure in Space)
- Body in the Group (Ocean Adventure)
- Whole Body Listening (Zoo Adventure)
- Hidden Rules and Expected and Unexpected Behaviors (Pirate Adventure)
- Smart Guess (Mystery Adventure)
- Flexible and Stuck Thinking (Ice Cream Shop Adventure)
- Size of the Problem (Dinosaur Birthday Party)
Understanding Eye Contact
Eye contact is a prerequisite to successful social interaction. Learning to make eye contact with the people around us shows them that we are thinking about them.
Understanding Social Expectations
People prefer to be around us when we are behaving in an 'expected' way. Learning what is expected (vs unexpected!) in different situations is an important skill for every day life.
Initiating Interactions
First interactions often blossom from common interests or something happening around you. Sometimes the first thing you say is the hardest thing to say.
Making and Maintaining Friendships
Learning to make friends in a small, supportive group environment is an opportunity to practise skills of initiation, asking questions, getting-to-know-you and forming relationships.
Using Body Language
Learning to read and use body language is a powerful tool for effective communication. Practising body language is a small group setting is the first step to positive social interactions.
Taking Turns
Taking turns teaches concepts such as sharing and reciprocal interactions. These skills are the foundations for two-way conversations and forming equal friendships.
Gaining Self Control
Expressing what you're thinking and feeling in the right way can be hard. Having control, but not being controlling, is a delicate balance and is best practised in a small group environment.
Social Problem Solving
Social problem solving is the successful integration of a range of social skills that help us to understand, interact with and enjoy the company of the people around us!
Frequently Asked Questions
1Where is the group held?
All group sessions are held at our clinic in Lane Cove. We have a variety of purpose-built therapy rooms that are spacious, colourful and engaging for learning. Families are encouraged to congregate in the clinic waiting area approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the session. The speech pathologist facilitating the group will meet families there, and accompany them to the appropriate room. The address of the clinic is: Ground Floor, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove, 2066, NSW.
2What happens if I miss one of the sessions?
All group programs are designed so that a session can be missed without hindering future sessions. However, if you are unable to attend, we do appreciate 24 hours notice so that the facilitator can plan accordingly. Unfortunately we cannot provide a refund for missed group sessions.
3How do I pay?
All group sessions are paid for in advance. Payment can be made via bank transfer, credit card over the phone, or an EFTPOS transaction at the clinic. Once enrolment in the group sessions has been confirmed, an invoice will be sent out via email. We ask that payment is made within 7 days of the invoice being received.
4What qualifications do the staff have?
All group programs are facilitated by certified practicing speech pathologists.
5Do parents need to stay?
No. Parents are welcome to stay for the first few minutes of the session, however we generally find that children are more involved in group activities when parents are not present. There are plenty of shops and cafes in the local area that we encourage parents to explore while they wait. Families are also welcome to pass the time in our clinic waiting area, offering a small selection of magazines, books and toys.
6What do I need to bring?
Nothing! All resources for the group program will be provided by Sydney Speech Clinic. Children are welcome to bring a water bottle in to the therapy room.
7Do groups replace one to one sessions?
No. One-to-one sessions are intensive, individualised, and tailored specifically to the needs of the client. Group sessions are seen as ‘boosters’ or supplementation to one-on-one therapy, and should not be used as a replacement in most cases.