| Aileen Stalker, MA BSR OT Pauline Mullaney, MSW RMFT RC INTERACTIONS I A therapeutic social skills group for children ages 6 - 8 with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or PDD-NOS WHEN & WHERE The 16 sessions will run on consecutive weeks from 4:00 - 5:30 The groups will be held at: J.W. Sexsmith Community School 7455 Ontario Street Vancouver, BC V5X 3C1 The 16 group sessions are designed for children ages 6 to 8 who have received a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or PDD-NOS). It is not suitable for children with limited language or extreme sensory needs. Referrals may be made by parents/guardians, educators, school counsellors, physicians psychologists, allied and mental health practitioners. To increase knowledge of efficacy of treatment in this field these group sessions will be part of a research project. Therapists Aileen Stalker, MA BSR OT is a Occupational Therapist who has worked for over 30 years with children with behaviour problems, autism, ADHD and physical disabilities in hospitals, schools and clinics. She has expertise in leading social skills groups for children of all ages. Pauline Mullaney, MSW RMFT RCC is a Social Worker and Satir Family Therapist in private practice and in an out-patient hospital setting. She has provided therapy for families and children in the areas of both physical medicine and mental health. She has been a leader of groups for children, adolescents and parents for over 25 years. For further information or to make a referral contact: Aileen Stalker, MS BSR OT Pauline Mullaney, MSW RMFT RCC Phone Aileen: 604-734-9391 E-mail: astalker@shaw.ca Phone Pauline: 604-762-4083 E-mail: P.Mullaney@shaw.ca Fax: 604-734-9391 The cost of the sixteen sessions is $1,520.00 ($95.00 for each 1.5 hour session plus 1 parent's group session and 2 individual parent sessions in the child's home). Parents will receive a mid-term and final report. Limited social behaviours and unusual quality in conversational communications have been identified as two of the unique characteristics of children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Attwood, 1998). By modeling social interactions, providing opportunities to practice and use a resource such as Social Stories (Gray 2003), children can develop appropriate social behaviours. The content of the sessions is based on current research related to the social/emotional needs of this group of children. Each session will have a theme and a similar format to provide predictability and structure for the children. Through games, activities and pictures, the children will have opportunities to learn social interaction skills, awareness and expression of feelings and perspective taking. A parent group will be offered during the course of the group series. An initial intake interview will precede acceptance in the group. INTERACTIONS II A THERAPEUTIC SOCIAL THINKING GROUP A 15 session therapeutic group for children ages 8 and 9 (Grades 2 and 3) with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome or PDD-NOS These group sessions are not suitable for children with limited language skills or extreme sensory or behavioural needs. Referrals may be made by parents/guardians, educators, school counsellors, physicians psychologists, allied and mental health practitioners. WHEN & WHERE The 15 sessions will run on consecutive weeks from 4:00 - 5:30 The groups will be held at: J.W. Sexsmith Community School 7455 Ontario Street Vancouver, BC V5X 3C1 The cost of the fifteen 1.5 hour sessions and mid-series parent's group is $1,600.00. A family meeting occurs before and after the groups and mid-term and final reports, recommendations are also provided. The initial family meeting will determine acceptance in the group. Social Thinking Difficulty with social thinking (perspective-taking) is one of the defining characteristics of children with autism. For these children, learning this complex skill requires that abstract concepts be broken down into smaller, concrete steps. By teaching specific skills and identifying why they are important, children can be helped to develop understanding and abilitities in social thinking. Asking questions, making smart guesses, maintaining eye contact, and use of wh words to gain or share information are some of the skills embedded in the weekly activities. *************** The content of the group sessions is based on the philosophy and strategies developed by Michelle Garcia Winner, (see www.socialthinking.com) an internationally recognized S-LP who treats children with autism. INTERACTIONS II uses structured formats, play activities and interactive language to bridge between concrete, literal social concepts and the more abstract skills needed for effective social perspective communication skills are addressed. Visual methods, stories, videotapes and hands-on activities are used to teach about self-awareness and perspective-taking concepts. Multiple and varied opportunities to practice the skills occur within the sessions and as well suggestions are provided for family activities. Therapists Susan Edmision, MVISc S-LP (C) is a Registered Speech and Language Pathologist with over 20 years experience in assessing and treating children with a variety of diagnosis, including autism. Susan works part-time as an S-LP in the Child and Mental Health Unit of BCCH and has training in tutoring children with dyslexia and mediated learning. Aileen Stalker, MA BSR OT is a Occupational Therapist who has worked for over 30 years with children with behaviour problems, autism, ADHD and physical and learning disabilities in hospitals, schools and clinics. She has expertise in leading social skills groups for children of all ages. Aileen is co-leader of the INTERACTIONS I For further information or to make a referral contact: Aileen Stalker MS BSR OT Susan Edmision, MVISc S-LP (C) Phone Aileen: 604-734-9391 E-mail: astalker@shaw.ca Phone Susan: 604-261-5251 E-mail: s.edmison@hotmail.com Fax: 604-734-9391 |
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