SSmarTs @ PiC, 2017 – (Social Smarts)
Applications will soon be closing for the last SSmarTs program for 2017 – due to commence at the start of term 4 and be completed by the end of February 2018. There are a few places remaining so please contact the office if you would like more information.
SSmarTs is a new Australian program designed for teens but also applicable to adults. It has ethics approval as a pilot program and data will be gathered about effectiveness. It is specifically for those who struggle to manage the social dynamic. SSmarTs targets skills required for multiple contexts including home, school, work and social time. It helps to prepare participants for workplace and/or further education. Designed by an experienced speech pathologist, it has been inspired by evidence-based programs including Social Thinking® strategies and the Tuning in to Teens™ program.
SSmarTs will assist young people and adults to make and maintain friendships, engage more fully within the family environment, present more confidently and flexibly, improve their problem solving and organisational skills and have an improved awareness and management of self. SSmarTs is best suited to those students struggle with social communication but who have language and cognitive skills within the normal range.
The SSmarTs program is a 16-week program.
With 2 locations:
Caulfield North, weekly sessions, (Tuesday, 6.15-7.45pm)
Geelong, weekly sessions, (Monday, 5.30-7pm)
Parent training component
Parents will stay for the duration of the sessions when they will meet with a Speech Pathologist, (separately to the students), and have the group content explained. This will provide an opportunity to discuss how to become your child’s ‘Social Coach’, how to best support and reinforce concepts between group sessions and to be able to ask questions and discuss issues in a supportive adult environment. The program Tuning in to Teens™ is incorporated into these parent sessions. This is an evidence based parent-training program teaching emotionally intelligent parenting skills.
www.partnersincommunication.com.au
www.socialthinking.com
www.mindful.org.au
Partners in Communication
243 Hawthorn Road
Caulfield North VIC 3161
Ph: 9973 1632