Program Basis

We teach our children how to be more successful in their social settings. Participants will learn how to play with their friends and acquire the social skills to interact with others. More importantly, they learn the ability to solve social problems and think socially in a naturalistic setting. This will equip them with a  deeper understanding and experience of why these skills are important and how they can be used in various settings.

At TLC, we help children learn how to regulate their emotions, engage with their friends, watch their friend's cues to play, and problem-solve when a social situation arises. We also believe that by teaching the thought process behind social skills, we help our children to see how their actions and behaviours influence others. Many of the concepts and activities we use in therapy are based on the work of well-acclaimed experts and approaches of DIR®/Floortime and Social Thinking®. 

Our program groups children according to the level of their Functional Emotional Development (FEDL). At each level, we focus on addressing specific needs such as:

• Nursery to Kindergarten: self-regulation, joint attention, stay connected, turn taking and sharing, relate to friends, express a range of emotions
• Kindergarten to School Aged: verbal and nonverbal communication, shared problem solving, shared imaginative play, express a bigger range of emotions, create and elaborate on ideas
• School Aged: express logical thinking, whole-body listening, friendly/expected vs. unfriendly/unexpected behaviour, awareness of self and others

Group Schedule

• Greetings
• Connecting/sharing and/or self-regulation
• Children-led play with facilitation
• Structured group activities/games
• Good-bye song
• Parent/caregiver verbal feedback

Tools and Techniques Used

• Role play/guided practice
• Activities, games, facilitated play
• Video feedback
• Visual supports and social stories/scripts
• Music and movement
• Sensory strategies and support
• Positive reinforcement
• Carryover activities/parent tips
• Parent education and support

What the Program Offers?

• Small groups (3 or 4 children) or pairs
• Weekly 1-hour sessions
• Groups run throughout the year
• Parents feedback 
• Consultations and education for parents and professionals

Who Can Benefit?

Our Social Communication Program is suitable for children with suspected or are in the autism spectrum, ADD/ADHD, social anxiety, or other language or social challenges.

These children may exhibit some of the following:

• Difficulty playing in a group
• Trouble making friends or forming relationships
• Problems taking turns or sharing
• Problems thinking of what others are thinking
• Difficulty initiating or maintaining a conversation
• Difficulty understanding nonverbal communication
• Trouble controlling their impulses or emotions
• Difficulty paying attention in a group
• Has "rigid thinking" affecting social interaction 

We believe that children desire meaningful social interactions and relationships. It is our goal to provide a nurturing environment in which they can learn, understand, and practice their social skills to be more successful and confident in their daily social life.