Interactions II:  A therapeutic social thinking group for children ages 8 and 9 (grades 2 and 3) with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified

Co-leaders             Susan Edmison MClSc, RSLP and Moray McLean Dip.COT; O.T.(C)

Program Content     The content of the program is based on the philosophy and strategies developed by Michelle Garcia Winner (see www.socialthinking.com), who is an internationally recognized Speech Language Pathologist with expertise in providing treatment for children and adolescents diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Structured formats, play activities and interactive language are used to bridge between concrete, literal social concepts and the more abstract skills needed for effective social perspective taking.  Asking questions, making smart guesses, thinking with your eyes, and the use of wh-words to gain or share information are some of the thinking concepts embedded in the weekly activities.  Both verbal and non-verbal communication skills are addressed.  Visual methods, stories, videotapes and hands-on activities are used to teach about self-awareness and perspective taking.  Multiple and varied opportunities to use the thinking concepts and skills occur within the sessions.

Referral process      Referrals may be made by parents/guardians, educators, school counselors, physicians, psychologists, and allied and mental health practitioners.  This group is NOT suitable for children with limited language skills, or extreme sensory or behavioural needs.

Intake Process        Upon receiving a referral, the family is contacted directly to allow for an initial telephone screening to determine if the child meets criteria for participating in the program.   If so, a home visit is arranged, at a mutually agreeable time.  At that time the child’s acceptance into the group is finalized. 

Group Size             Maximum of 4 children

Program Structure    This is a 15-week program with one group series running in the fall and one in the spring.   The 15 sessions run on consecutive weeks on Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.  In addition to the child sessions, there is one parent group session held midway through the group series and 2 individual in-home sessions (pre- and post-group series).

Parents/Caregivers  This is critical to the program.  Parents/caregivers are required to attend the last 15 minutes of each session.  Written suggestions are provided for family activities that target the social thinking concepts introduced to the children.  Midway through the 15-week group series, a 1-1/2 hour evening session is scheduled for the parent/caregivers.  In this session, additional information is provided related to the philosophy of the program and community resources, as well as providing the parents/caregivers with an opportunity to discuss related areas of concern (e.g., attention, learning disabilities, behaviour, etc.)

Location                All sessions are held at Immaculate Conception Parish Centre, 3776 West 28th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6S 1S6. 

Cost                      $2160.00 (includes a midterm and a final report)