Social Groups
Small groups are for children to practice social skills, play skills and communication skills with their peers. The emphasis is on playing, consideration of others (social thinking) and building relationships with peers. Group sizes are small (max 5 kids) with 2 therapists running each group to ensure individualized attention. Children who require 1:1 assistance are not ready for group programs.
There will be an adult led activity each day to encourage children to think about each other and expected behaviours in a group. Children will then be encouraged to plan play ideas together with toys and games provided. There will be 2 adults modelling and facilitating expected play and communication skills.
A small snack of fruit, vegetables and gluten free crackers will be provided. Ages 7-10 (with flexibility dependent on interests). A short phone interview with parents is required in order to ensure this group is a good fit for your child.
Social Thinking
Beginner (ages 4-7): identifying thoughts and feelings, following a group plan, thinking with your eyes and body in the group
Intermediate (ages 8-12): thinking about others, following a group plan, reading social cues, flexible thinking
Social Thinking Groups are based on We Thinkers! and Think Social! Curriculum designed by Ryan Hendrix, Kari Zweber Palmer, Nancy Tarshis and Michelle Garcia Winner. The curriculum is modified to meet the needs of each individual group. Specific goals of the group will be determined by the participants. This particular Social Thinking curriculum is a language-based approach and therefore requires children to have are designed for children whose language is developmentally equivalent to their age.
Play Group (on hold)
Beginner (ages 4-7): parallel and joint play, problem solving with others in play, while participating in age appropriate semi-structured activities with peers
Intermediate (ages 8-12): group collaboration, play and problem solving, while participating in age appropriate semi-structured activities with peers
Play Groups are designed to be child-led with adults facilitating, supporting, modelling and reinforcing expected play, social and communication determined by the skills and interests of the participants. Specific goals may vary from child to child and will be determined by the individual needs of the participants. This play group is suitable for children with language at all levels of ability.
Home-School Hangout
(on hold)
For elementary school-aged children (ages 6-12) who are homeschooled and are seeking more time to hang out with peers. Children will be provided opportunity to participate in activities with peers with adult support to model expected play, communication and social skills. Homeschool groups are an opportunity for kids to connect with one another through games and activities. The types of games and activities organized will depend on the interests of the participants. The centre supplies a wide selection of developmentally appropriate games and activities, as well as a large sensory motor gym for movement games and obstacle courses.
There will be a 1 time meet and greet for families at the end of the 6 week period to be held at the centre to give families who wish to attend a chance to connect with other families who are homeschooling in their area. This group size may be larger if appropriate to increase socialization opportunities.
SUPERFLEX Social Skills (on hold)
Children learn social skills and flexible thinking based on relating to SuperFlex - a super hero and his friends. This group provides a fun, non-threatening way for children to explore social thinking and increase their ability to manage their behaviour in social situations.
Printing & Fine Motor Fun (on hold)
Keep up with the demands of schoolwork with fun activities that focus on developing printing and hand/fine motor skills. Increase hand strength, improve pencil grip, play manual dexterity games, do arts & crafts, learn to draw and print using a multi-sensory program to increase motor memory. Based on the Hand-Writing-Without-Tears program. Each session is themed and has take home art to share.
Alert Program
for S
elf-Regulation (on hold)
Learn how to keep your energy level running "just-Right" using sensory strategies from the ALERT program. Practice using your sense of vision, hearing, touch, movement, taste to either slow your energy down or speed your energy up, so you can be ALERT and ready to learn and have fun all day long!
Sensory - Motor Group (on hold)
Learn coordination skills and the co-op approach to learning new movement activities. Set a goal and develop a motor plan. Practice ball skills, jumping skills, obstacle courses. Develop skills required for some sport and recreation activities.
Ecosensory Adventures Hiking Club (on hold)
Based on the ALERT program for self-regulation. Children learn how their body’s are like car’s engine: sometimes they run on low, sometimes on high, and sometimes ‘just-right’. We learn to use our senses to help speed our engines up or slow our engines down, so that we can be ‘just-right’ most of the time. The outdoors is a rich sensory environment. We will go on easy day hikes to explore different ecosystems (forest, marsh, beach, river) and use our senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell/taste, movement) to explore nature.
All ages, families encouraged
2 hours at different locations in the GVRD
Snack Club (on hold)
Encourage trying new foods by exploring food through our senses (visual, touch, smell, taste) and based on similar food properties (colour, texture, flavour, shape). Based on the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach for children with eating difficulties. We go through a sequence of activities (oral motor warm-up, play based activities, clean-up).
Life Skills (on hold)
Go on outings with a group to learn life skills important to being independent. Plan a group activity, take public transportation, manage finance/budget. Make friends while learning new things. For youth who are high-school aged.
Cooking Club (on hold)
Learn to prepare simple meals with friends. Use the Canadian food guide to make healthy choices, plan a menu, cut vegetables, mix dough, use basic kitchen appliances. Prepare breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner items using all 4 food groups. GFCF (gluten-free and casein-free) meals available (no wheat/dairy). For youth who are high-school aged.
Peers (on hold)
Youth learn social skills and flexible thinking based on practicing scenarios like in an acting class. Leaders will role model scenes for youth to practice. Topics include how to start a conversation, find similar interests, make friends, deal with bullies, and plan a date.
Relaxation Group (on hold)
Find it difficult to unwind after a busy day filled with so much fun? Have a hard time falling asleep at night? Join us for Brain Gym exercises and yoga postures that focus on breathing and stretching to help you learn how to relax.
Yoga (on hold)
These gentle poses help children learn to integrate sensory information through movement and breath, in addition to the benefits of aiding memory, focus and awareness, balance, stress and tension, and confidence. The classes for are designed to help teach children how to function at their greatest potential throughout the day. For youth who are high-school aged.
Language Stimulation (on hold)
Young children learn vocabulary, grammar & social uses of language through play-based activities with peers.
Silly Sounds (on hold)
Young children practice mouth exercises improve oral motor strength/coordination, thus improving their articulation and pronunciation.