LEGO® Based Therapy – not running in the September-October School Holidays
Social skills program for 5-12 year olds
LEGO® Based Therapy is a small group program, proven to help children with social difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), to improve and practice their social interaction and communication skills.
During the program duration, children are introduced to one another and are empowered to interact, collaborate and socialise with their peers, while having fun, in a supportive and understanding environment.
In the sessions, children learn a clear set of rules and LEGO® building skills. They agree upon a project that is achievable for everyone in the group, and are assigned roles.
- The Architect holds the building instructions, and is responsible for letting the others know which bricks are required (supplier) and how to put them together (builder).
- The Supplier holds the LEGO® bricks necessary to assemble the LEGO® model, and is responsible for supplying the builder with the correct pieces and at the correct time.
- The Builder is responsible for taking the individual pieces from the supplier, and putting the pieces together, according to the instructions given by the architect, to create the model.
Roles are rotated throughout the sessions so children can learn different skills and responsibilities
What’s included in the program?
The program consists of an initial interview with the child and parent, followed by small-group child sessions with a maximum of 6 children per group.
How will my child benefit?
The LEGO® Based Therapy program uses the principles of Play Therapy to help children communicate and socialise with one another.
By partaking in group tasks and rotating roles, children learn important skills like:
- Sharing
- Waiting
- Turn-taking
- Talking with others
- Making friends
LEGO® Based Therapy is running as a 12-week small group program during Term 3 and 4 2020. Visit our Social Skills Programs page for more information or call our Customer Care team on 1300 003 900.
Moving On and Up – not running in the September-October School Holidays
Transition support program for children starting high school
The start of high school is an exciting time for teenagers and their families. It is the beginning of a whole new chapter in their lives – meeting new people, learning new skills, experiencing a range of different subjects and sports, and starting their journey towards adult life. It can also be an anxious and stressful time as students adapt to the very new and structured environment.
The Moving On and Up program provides practical skills, tools and strategies so children have the confidence to transition to high school successfully.
It is suitable for any students who may need support with their move to high school in 2020.
What’s included in the program?
The program consists of small-group sessions and is delivered by a psychologist. It includes group discussions, brainstorms, practical tasks and fun activities to give students practical strategies and tools to help them feel organised and prepared.
Learning Links runs the program over 2 days (4 hours/day).
How will my child benefit?
Moving On and Up covers a range of topics to help children build the confidence they need to navigate the new high school environment. The sessions focus on:
- Organisational skills
- Travel planning
- Problem solving
- Study and assignment skills
- Making friends
- Using new technologies safely
As part of this, children learn how to read and use diaries, timetables and maps, and have an opportunity to discuss their hopes and fears about the change.
Stop Think Do – not running in the September-October School Holidays
Behaviour management and social skills program for 6-11 year olds
This structured program develops emotional and social intelligence in children and adolescents. The focus is on social skills training, behaviour management and motivational learning. 2 separate age groups will be run.
The aim on ‘Stop, think, do’ program is to develop self control, perceptual and communication skills, and cognitive problem solving skills. It is theorised that children with social-behavioural problems are often stuck at STOP as they tend not to think or do much for themselves. Shy, anxious children are stuck at THINK as they often think too much about what could happen. Impulsive, aggressive children are stuck at DO because they do and do and rarely stop to think. The program aims to train all children to move through all steps with positive feedback, self-esteem enhancement and support from adults and peers.
Topics covered in the program include:
- Self control
- Feelings
- Cognitive problem solving
- Consequential thinking
- Decision making
- Choice making
- Behavioural skills
