Access Your Supports Group Therapy Programs
Groups are a great way to extend therapy funding (a participant receives 3 hours of group therapy for every one hour of 1:1 therapy). They are also a fantastic way to put the concepts and skills covered in 1:1 sessions into practice with peers in a supported environment.
Please see information below outlining all Group Therapy Programs currently available at AYS. Expression of interest can be placed at any time and groups run when minimum numbers are met.
Group Therapy is conducted from our clinic at 18 Myers St Geelong. Groups run for 8 weeks, starting in week 2 of the school term unless stated otherwise and all group therapy programs include a comprehensive NDIS report on conclusion.
Please be aware that the program cost is a guide only and may be subject to change.
For more information on any of the below programs, please email our group programs coordinator at groups@ays.com.au
Skills4Preschool
Social Skills4Preschool
The transition to formal schooling is a big step in every child’s life but with practice, you and your child will have the tools to start the journey with confidence.
This program uses the evidenced based social thinking program-We Thinkers! which teaches young children important social communication skills needed for school such as sharing, eye contact, playing with others, perspective taking and flexible thinking.
This program suits children who have developed joint attention, the ability to stay connected and the language ability to support them in this process. If your child is still learning these skills the We Thinkers! curriculum is not yet for them.
Age range 3 to 5 years
Maximum 6 children
Approx. cost $1,490
Fine Motor Skills4Preschool
The transition to formal schooling is a big step in every child’s life but with practice, you and your child will have the tools to start the journey with confidence.
This program uses the evidenced based Learning without Tears- Readiness and Writing program, focusing on alphabet knowledge, letter and number recognition and formation, counting, drawing, shapes and colours through multisensory activities that develop social-emotional and fine motor skills.
This program suits children who have developed joint attention, the ability to stay connected and the language ability to support them in this process. If your child is still learning these skills the We Thinkers! curriculum is not yet for them.
Age range 3 to 5 years
Maximum 6 children
Approx. cost $1,490
Enrolments are now open and places are limited so book a place today and Let’s Get Ready for School!
Building Emotions
Using the Build Me “Emotions” program by Lego this interactive program invites children to explore emotions and physical characteristics in a fun and engaging way. As children work together on a range of character building experiences they develop social skills, such as, recognising and understanding emotions, expressing personal preferences, and resolving conflicts in a constructive way.
Age range 4 to 7 years
Maximum 6 children.
Approx. cost $1357
Learn to Play with Parents
The Learn to Play with Parents is a play skills developmental program created by Occupational Therapist Karen Stagnitti
Pretend play is an important developmental step for children and assists with problem solving, flexible thinking, and logical sequences in their thoughts. When children learn how to play, they begin to understand that play of their peers, and better understand their emotions.
What is involved in each session?
Learn to Play with Parents (LPP) is a facilitated group parent training program that helps parents learn active ways to guide their children to increase there spontaneous pretend play skills with the direct assistance of therapists, each session includes 1:1 time with the facilitator, group activities and morning tea share time.
The WorryWoos™
EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY
The WorryWoos™ Developing Emotional Intelligence (DEI) Programme is an engaging art based group therapy designed to assist children to develop their ability to identify and respond to emotions across different environments. The program uses art combined with exciting characters for each different emotion. The program also provides strategies for families and carers to assist in supporting their child’s emotional development at home.
Age range 4 to 7 years
Maximum 6 children
Approx. cost $1357
The Westmead Feelings Program
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has developed a 15-month intervention program (5 weeks per term for 3 terms plus a 6 month follow up session) teaching children with autism spectrum disorder about emotional understanding and social awareness. Not just clinic-based, the Westmead Feelings Program develops parents’ and teachers’ emotion coaching skills, supporting children to understand emotions, solve problems and ultimately manage their feelings in everyday settings.
Age range 4 to 7years
Maximum 6 children.
Approx. cost $2817.25
Secret Agent Society (SAS)
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Small Group Program helps kids 8 to 12 years of age crack the code of emotions and friendships. Junior Detectives graduate from SAS equipped with the skills to feel happier, calmer and braver while making new friends and keeping them.
Age range 8 to 12 years
Maximum 8 children
Approx. cost $3087
AYS is a registered provider of SAS
The program also supports children to learn how to recognise and regulate a range of emotions through a ‘secret agent’ online game and weekly parent training. The structured curriculum and captivating theme make this program one of the most successful of its kind in the world! For ages 8-12. More information about SAS can be found on the SAS website.
What is the Secret Agent Society?
The Secret Agent Society (SAS) Computer Game Pack and Small Group Program help kids 8 to 12 years of age crack the code of emotions and friendships. Junior Detectives graduate from SAS equipped with the skills to feel happier, calmer and braver while making new friends and keeping them.
SAS features an animated ‘secret agent’ computer game, Helpful Thought Zapper action game,
Challenger Board Game, Secret Message Transmission Device game and many more award-winning resources. The evidence-based, structured curriculum and captivating theme make this program one of the most successful of its kind in the world.
The program was create by Australian clinical psychologist, Dr Renae Beaumont, and is regarded as one of the most successful program of its kind in the world. The entire simulation has been designed to captivate kids while they learn new social-emotional skills in a fun way
What is involved in each session?
SAS also supports children to learn how to recognise and regulate a range of emotions through a ‘secret agent’ computer game, Helpful Thought Missile action game, Challenger board game, Secret Message Transmission Device game and many more award-winning resources. The evidence- base, structured curriculum and captivating theme make this program one of the most successful of its kind in the world!
What are the outcomes?
Emotional Regulation
- Recognise emotions in themselves & others.
- Express their feelings in appropriate ways.
- Cope with feelings of anger and anxiety.
Friendships & Communication
- Understanding levels of friendship.
- Communicate and play with others.
- Cope with team work, games & ‘losing’.
- Build and maintain friendships.
- Cope with mistakes, transitions & more.
- Solve social problems
Conflict Resolution
- Detect the difference between accidents,
jokes and nasty deeds. - Detect and understanding bullying.
- Prevent and manage bullying & teasing.
- Acknowledging personal strengths & goals
What is the cost?
The Secret Agent Society includes 10 two hour weekly group therapy sessions plus pre and post-program preparation, feedback and support. (26 hrs total) 10 .5 hour parent training sessions (6 hrs total) Assistive Technology program kit $280, 1:1 intake, assessment and reporting with facilitating therapist, including an NDIS Therapy Report (4 hrs total) Charged at the NDIS recommended Group Therapy and 1:1 Therapy rates: (NDIS
recommended rate is subject to change)
The LEGO® Club
Lego group therapy uses a child’s love of Lego®, to work on developing turn-taking, sharing, listening, conversation, teamwork, shared attention and problem-solving skills. Children work in a team of 3 each week under allocated roles, communicating with each other to complete a set build each week.
Age range 7 to 10 years
Maximum 6 children
Approx. cost $1,940
PEERS®
PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills program for motivated teenagers and young adults (14-30) who are interested in learning skills to make friends and maintain relationships as well as navigate common social challenges. This internationally acclaimed program addresses a wide variety of social topics, including: using conversational skills, finding common interests, use of humour, appropriate friendships, social gatherings, handling disagreements, and coping with rejection.
NOTE: The program requires a social coach present for the full duration of each session, this can be a caregiver, sibling, support worker or anyone who has a close relationship with the participant.
Age range 14 to 30 years
Maximum 8 participants
Approx. cost $4408
Skills4Life
Skills4Life (DBT Group)
16 week program
This Skills4Life group uses the evidence based DBT informed framework to help support individuals who experience high levels of emotional dysregulation and complex behavioural challenges to improve their abilities to self- and co-regulate with the people in their environment. The program is facilitated by Behavioural Support Practitioners and designed to help manage emotions, be present in the moment and be more effective–even in stressful situations. Develop healthy ways to cope with stress, improve relationships with others and think through situations and take goal-directed actions.
Age range 6 years to Adult
Maximum 6 participants
Approx. cost $3557.63
Skills4Life (Daily Living Skills Group)
Skills 4 Life is group-based Occupational Therapy for teens and young adults who are motivated to increase their independent living skills. Throughout the program participants develop essential skills for independent daily living.
Age range 13 to 18 years
Maximum 6 participants
Approx. cost $1875
Talking Time
Runs for two 6 week blocks over 2 terms.
Talking Time, Incorporating the c Time to Talk LDA oral and social interaction skills approach is a communication program targeting oral and social interaction skills for children aged 4-6. Sessions run over two terms, one hour a week for 12 weeks and aim to develop the “rules” of interaction with the help of the character Ginger the Bear, who features in all the activities. Through the program children will work on the following skills; Listening, increasing understanding and use of concepts and vocabulary, conversational skills-eye contact, turn taking, sharing, asking/answering questions, attention and memory, making and keeping friends and awareness of the needs and feelings of others.
Age range 4 to 6 years
Maximum 6 participants
Approx. cost $2135.15