Goals

Ø     Social and sensory awareness is our #1 goal.

Ø     Activities will emphasize developmentally appropriate play experiences that expand and strengthen the child’s social development.

Ø     Teaching the skills necessary for developing and maintaining friendships.

Ø     Our program will actively encourage the child to work and play both individually and to become a productive member of a group.

Ø     We provide parents with ongoing support, strategies, and tools as their child transitions and adjust to a regular school environment.

Ø     Developing self awareness and enabling the child to become skilled in the self regulation of their sensory needs using a relaxation program we have developed called RelaxNow.

Ø      Teaching respect for self and others.

Ø      Exploring new tastes and textures while learning the social skills required to participate in family meal times.  

Our ultimate goal is to prepare the child to transition to typical public/private academic setting. During this stage we will work closely with you child’s teacher to prepare them to build upon the successes your child has enjoyed while at the Academy. This includes working with you to identify the most suitable setting for your child, then sharing our knowledge with the teaching staff. We are happy to participate in Individual Education Plan meetings at your child’s new school.

Saturday Social Skills

For those children who need that little bit extra help with the social aspects of their school life, we offer a Saturday school club. We try to create more of a ‘club’ atmosphere rather than a class. The children are personally involved in the decision making process, learning the art of choosing, debating, voting and compromising. We teach the group brainstorming techniques, how to praise others and offer respectful critique of their peers ideas.

Areas of Focus

Ø     Developing and maintaining friendships

Ø     Working as a group

Ø     Dealing with teasing

Ø     Staying on topic

Ø     Conversation skills

Ø     Awareness and understanding of their own and their peers emotions

Ø     Respect for themselves and others

Ø     Assertiveness skills

We use a multi-sensory approach to demonstrate these skills, including mini discussion groups, role play activities, and written exercises to re-enforce learning. Many of our students return each term as they enjoy the friendships they have developed with other club members. Although teaching social skills is a group learning experience, we purposely keep class sizes to a maximum of six to ensure we can also meet the individual needs of each child.