Play Groups to the Rescue!

Soon after his diagnosis, I was faced with the daunting task of teaching Alex social skills. (It’s like teaching a fish to sunbathe.) I can pick up the phone and schedule a play date like the next parent, but what to do once the kids arrive is a bit of a head scratcher.

Well, like a little blessing from God, there was a flyer in my son’s school bag from an organization right here in town called Speech Therapy Associates.

It read, “Building Blocks Language Playgroup...a unique educational playgroup designed to help your child develop the speech, language, literacy and social skills they’ll need to be successful in school”. There was more… “Children of all abilities are welcome!” Still more…4:1 teacher child ratio, only 8 children per class and your 3 – 5 year old can attend once or twice a week for 2 hours a pop!

Needless to say I signed Alex up and he really enjoyed it and grew from it. I was comforted knowing that Alex was learning social skills in a structured environment by highly trained, caring individuals in addition to the help he receives at school and home. I was also comforted in knowing that I have the option of zoning out in Target for almost 2 hours twice a week.

Well, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, another flyer shows up asking the questions: “Does your child have difficulty making friends, asking and answering questions, have repetitive speech, limited attention…?” Speech Therapy Associates was announcing the launch of another social skills playgroup called “Circle of Friends”.

This program is different from Building Blocks in that it’s for kids ages 5 – 12, has only three children per group and goes twice a week for 1-½ hours. “Circle of Friends gives children the opportunity to build social and language skills that will help them initiate and maintain peer relationships. We make communication experiences functional, positive, and fun!”

Did I hit gold or what? Alex’s group is working on turn taking, attending, following directions, asking and answering questions and interacting appropriately in various social situations. We receive video clips of the session periodically and were given a social story to read to our child before he attends to reinforce good behavior.

The team is just wonderful: very knowledgeable, always kind, supportive and present for any questions I might have.

In addition to their preschool language and social skills play groups, Speech Therapy Associates also offers complete speech and language evaluations, individual speech and language therapy, and school and agency staffing,

They also offer Parent education classes where Parents learn about communication and language so they can help their child’s communication develop.

For more information on how Speech Therapy Associates can help your child, call Sara Peterson at 209-334-0830 and visit www.staspeech.com.