Services
Sensory-Motor Social Groups
Too many times we see programs that expect
the child to move beyond his/her individual differences in order to learn
"acceptable" social skills. Children on the pervasive developmental disorder
spectrum especially experience core deficits pertaining to theory of mind and
difficulty manipulating the kind of flexible thinking that is central to learning
effective social skills. The brain is organized in a hierarchy from the brainstem,
midbrain, then higher order thinking. Social thinking is considered to be higher
order thinking and requires a host of underlying core skills that need to be addressed
before effective social skill could be understood and fully realized.
In combining the different aspects of sensory, motor and social skills training, we are able to observe and manipulate core difficulties with professionals trained in occupational therapy, physical therapy and the Developmental, Individual Differences, and Relationship Model (DIR).
Sensory-Motor Social Groups at A Total Approach
- Our groups consist of 6 children to each group with 2 professionals to each group.
- Though we will be able to offer groups for any ages in the future, at this time
we run only the following age groups::
- 3 to 4 yr. olds
- 4 to 5 yr. olds
- 6 to 8 yr. olds - If parents/organizations are interested in signing up children of other ages, we ask that you call us, so we could determine the need more comprehensively and design additional programs.
- The younger groups run for two hours each weekday morning from 9 am to 11am.
- The older group runs in the evening between 4 and 6 pm to accommodate school hours.
- Each group consists of a feedback time with parents during the last 30 minutes of the group session.
- If you are not currently a client of A Total Approach and we are unfamiliar with
your child, there is a 2-hour screening process involved before considering
a child to join the program.
- The curriculum is designed upon the individual and group needs each week with a strong emphasis on using the DIR strategies to encourage social thinking. The groups are fun, with much drama, pretend play and opportunities for problem-solving.
- The groups are open ended, as children continue to develop over time, though specific goals and time frames will be discussed with each parent individually.
- In order to keep the cost reasonable, we request that the commitment is made to be here every week at the scheduled time. We certainly understand circumstances, though if a family cancels 2 times in a span of 2 weeks without prior arrangement, such as vacations, this family will run the risk of forfeiting their placement to another student on the waiting list.
- If you should be interested, you should call us at your earliest convenience. These groups have a tendency to be full in short time frames. If it is full at the time of your call, you will be added to a waiting list or we could consider adding additional groups. Call us at (484) 840 1529
