Children on the autism spectrum love Connect & Communicate groups! They have so much fun that they don’t realize that they are learning important skills! Parents love them because these groups celebrate children’s strengths and interests, which helps them quickly learn the skills they need to connect and communicate with others.
Connect & Communicate groups target the specific social language skills that individual children with autism are struggling with, but in a group context! These are the skills that help children to get along with their families and friends. Young children with autism work on skills such as greetings, making comments and asking questions, telling other people about things we like, and sharing information about our week, and talking in small and large groups, as well as being friendly! Teens with autism work on skills such as balancing talking and listening in a conversation, sharing feelings, giving specific answers to questions and self-advocacy. Some teen groups even set their own goals for communication, and learn how to find the support they need to meet their goals, and how to evaluate their progress. Every group is different because the intervention is designed to meet the needs of specific participants.
We use direct teaching, visual support, and lots of practice in fun activities. Participants with autism don’t only learn what to do, they learn to do it! Adult volunteers and same-age peers provide support alongside the Speech-Language Pathologist so that each child’s needs can be targeted. The groups are limited to 8 participants, which allows for lots of practice and tons of fun!
Participants may have Autism Spectrum Disorder or Asperger Syndrome, but they do not need a diagnosis to participate.
Sign up for the fall groups:
teens and tweens
10 to 16 years old
5 Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:00
September 30 and October 7, 14, 21 & 28
5-week program fee
$400This session only: $320!!!
There is a one-time assessment for new clients so that we can get to know their needs. The assessment takes approximately one hour and the fee is $110.