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PROGRAMS : About Face! Social Skills Program™

About Face! Social Skills Program™ 

The About Face! Social Skills Program™ is an innovative and interactive program designed to improve social, communication and conversation skills in children and teenagers. Made up of different modules, the About Face! Social Skills Program™ covers all the essential elements of becoming socially aware and a good and skilled communicator.

 

Run by a qualified and experienced Speech Pathologist, each module is run with a minimum of two children (maximum 3-4), although in some circumstances a child may complete part or all of a program on their own. Groups meet once a week for 8 weeks.

 

Who Would Benefit From the Program

The About Face! Social Skills Program™ has been specifically designed for children and adolescents with: High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD). It is also suitable for children who need extra guidance in improving their communication, social and friendship skills. Children are grouped according to their age, developmental level, and specific needs. Children should have basic language and verbal communication skills to get the most out of the program.

 

   

 

 

Why are Social Skills So Important?

Social skills impact on every part of our lives. They seem innate for many children, but this is not always the case for many children and adolescents, particularly those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Far from wanting to make friends, they don't often know how to interact with their peers. Since social skills are fundamental in life success, it is vital that individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder learn and practise these social rules to compensate for what does not come naturally to them.

 

The various skills taught in each module are reinforced through structured social skill building activities and games, guided role play, video presentations, modelling, visual supports and other activities. Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations are also incorporated into the program and home practise, as appropriate.

 

Detailed information sheets for parents and caregivers are distributed after each session. They outline the goals of the session and suggestions for further practise and reinforcement techniques. Implementation of strategies and practise outside the group setting is imperative for your child's success.

 

Topics presented in each module include, but are not limited to the following:

 

 

Module 1: About Face! Friendships

- Qualities of a good friend

- Friendly faces/friendly actions

- How to join others in play/a group

- Whole body listening

- Use your H.E.A.D in conversation

- Happy: tone of voice

- Eye Contact

-  Alternate: between talking & listening

- Distance: Don’t be a ‘space invader

- Dealing with winning & losing

- Don’t be the “rule police”

- Compromising & sharing

- Giving & receiving criticism

- Respecting others' feeling/opinions 

 

 Module 2: About Face! Fun

- Conversation rules

- Using your H.E.A.D in conversation

- Joining & starting a conversation

- Introducing topics of interest

- Giving background information

- Maintaining a conversation (‘bounce backs’)

- Taking turns

- How and when to interrupt

- Shifting topics

- Ending a conversation

- Sensitive topics

- ‘Reading between the lines’

- Understanding sarcasm

Module 3: About Face! Feelings

 

- What are emotions/feelings?
- Feelings thermometer

- Recognising & identifying emotions

- Expressing & controlling emotions

- Understanding & dealing with anger

- Understanding & dealing with anxiety

- Understanding & dealing with sadness

- Teasing & bullying

- Problem solving

- Respecting others' feelings & opinions

- Having a respectful attitude

 

 

This module is only done on an individual basis

 

   Where: 6/497 Burke Road, Hawthorn East, Melbourne

  When: days & times for Term 1, 2012:

 

 - Monday 4.00pm - 5.00pm             (ages 7-9 years)  - maximum 4 children    FULLY BOOKED

- Wednesday 4.00pm - 5.00pm       (ages 7-9 years) - maximum 4 children (NEW)   Reserve a place 

 

- Monday 5.15pm - 6.15pm              (ages 10-12 years) - maximum 4 children   Reserve a place

 

- Wednesday 5.00pm – 6.30pm      (About Face! Teenagers) - maximum 4 children   Reserve a place

 

- Friday 10.30am - 11.30am            (ages 5-6 years)* - maximum 4 children    FULLY BOOKED 

     

 

What: modules for 2012: 

 

- Term 1, 2012: Module 1 About Face! Friendships

 

- Term 2, 2012: Module 2: About Face! Fun 

 

 

* only About Face! Friendships (module 1) completed for this age group

 

 Call Anna on 0409 850082 for more information or to reserve a place in the About Face! Social Skills Program.

 
 
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