What are Skills Groups?
Groups are offered in person. Skills groups feature a variety of themes such as developing executive functions skills, engaging in personal independence, and learning to engage in functional play with peers including turn-taking, requesting, sharing, and more.
Skills groups will help to further develop your child’s communication skills and daily living skills by learning and practicing through fun and exciting activities each week.
The ratio for each group changes based on the child’s needs and skills, up to a ratio of 2 staff to 8 children.
Parents and caregivers will be required to attend one mandatory parent session with a Clinical Supervisor at the end of the group block. Parents will have the opportunity to watch videos to observe the progress and gains of their child in the group, for information sharing from Woodview Staff, and to discuss the next steps for future social and communication goals.
What is the focus of Skills Groups?
The focus of groups is to help and support children to reach their potential in social, communication, daily living and vocational skills.
Groups are offered in small ratios and use Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based strategies, plus video modelling, role play, and homework to teach these various skills.
Learn more about the variety of Halton Autism Services that we offer.
What are the pre-requisites to join the Skills Groups?
All children / youth must meet the prerequisites to attend skills group:
- Can attend in a group model (1:1 is not offered)
- Can wait appropriately 5 minutes
- Can tolerate louder environments
- Can tolerate being with other children
- Can follow 1-2 step instructions and requests
- Can participate in activities safely
- Can participate in some conversation (with device or vocal)
- Groups do not accommodate toileting protocols. Children/youth need to toilet independently in order to attend groups in underwear. Participants may attend in a pull-up.
- No significant behaviours or safety concerns (bolting, flight risk, aggressive, verbal or physical behaviour, or self-injurious behaviour)
Please see below each group description for more specific criteria.
