Our Therapies
Group Therapies
Group Therapy provides many valuable opportunities for children and adolescents to work on their abilities to get organized and maintain self-regulation based on the motivation they get from peer bonding and connection. This therapeutic experience, facilitated by our skilled therapist is necessary for the consolidation of skills learnt in individual therapy.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Children and Adolescents
Research confirms that participating in and learning occupations alongside others fosters a sense of connectedness, which gives those occupations meaning. Engaging in similar activities offers the chance to contribute to others’ learning by sharing and developing individual strengths which ultimately leads to an increased sense of value, self-worth and competence.
Studies have also shown that an increased sense of competence leads to increased confidence. Children who feel capable believe that, with persistence, they will succeed in their activities. When given opportunities to engage in tasks that present the right level of challenge, an ideal environment is created to promote their psychological well-being.
Here are some of the numerous benefits that stem from the social and supportive environment of group therapy:
- Socialization: Group therapy offers a structured setting to children to practice communication social skills (especially in listening and alongside peers, with guidance and support from the therapist to help them navigate social situations and engage appropriately.
- Peer Modelling: Group therapy creates opportunities for children to observe and imitate their peers to learn new skills
- Generalization: Group therapy provides children with opportunities to apply and practice the skills that they have learnt in diverse settings. The skills they learn in therapy can then be more effectively transferred to other environments, such as school or home.
- Emotional Regulation: Children who struggle with regulating their emotions can experience a safe and supportive yet realistic environment during group therapy sessions. They will learn to practice and apply emotional regulation techniques that they have learnt with the appropriate amount of support and reinforcement provided by the therapist.
Please contact us for information about the availability, frequency, and price range of our group therapies
A just-right group size of 3-5 children or adolescents, that focuses on helping them develop and improve their social interactions, communication, and emotional understanding. It is semi-structured with movement games, role-playing, simple cookery, and discussions, across 10 sessions. Ongoing evaluation and progress monitoring ensure that your child’s development is tracked and adjustments are made as needed.
Many children with autism experience difficulties in various aspects of feeding, such as food selectivity, limited food preferences, sensory sensitivities, oral motor coordination issues, and repetitive behaviours around mealtime. We aim to improve the overall variety and quality of your child’s diet, increase acceptance of new foods, develop appropriate feeding skills, and reduce any negative behaviours or anxieties associated with eating, in a social setting with other children. This group is conducted by qualified Occupational and Speech Therapists.
References:
Hammell, K. R. W. (2014). Belonging, occupation, and human wellbeing: An exploration. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy,
81, 39–50, doi:10.1177/0008417413520489
Case-Smith, J. (2015). Development of childhood occupations. In: J. Case-Smith & J. C. O’Brien (Eds.), Occupational therapy for children
and adolescents (pp. 65–101). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Poulsen, A. A., Ziviani, J. M. & Rodger, S. (2006). Understanding
children’s motivation from a self determination theoretical perspective: Implications for practice. Australian Occupational Therapy
Journal, 53, 78, doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2006.00569.x