Social Emotional Learning Program

Our Team has developed and expanded the ASK Social Skills Program through the incorporation of psychoeducation on emotions. The Social Emotional Learning Program focuses on exploring and teaching children and teenagers a range of integral competencies to equip them with the skills to reach pivotal educational and developmental milestones. This program is aimed at increasing both knowledge and the application of social emotional skills, promoting resilience and preventing the development of common issues such as anxiety or depression.  

Who are the groups for?

We welcome individuals of all ages and differences in learning needs. The groups usually include 6-8 participants. The individuals attending the groups may have diagnoses of ASD, ADHD and/or have other needs. All we ask for is the motivation to join and then we will support the individual to integrate within their chosen group!

Approach

Evidence-based instructional strategies such as behavioral skills training (i.e., role playing, feedback, video modelling, case examples), guided discussion, art and creative exercises, reflection, and cognitive behavioral exercises support the learning process. The children and teenagers will cover the content within three curriculum pillars; 1) social community knowledge, 2) personal social skills building, 3) psycho-emotional awareness, resilience and regulation. We deliver our programs through fun activities, games and play. All activities and lessons are adapted to meet the understanding and abilities of the children and teenagers.

Here are some of the objectives we work on

  • Building positive connections with peers – understanding strategies for making friends, active listening, showing empathy and kindness
  • Friendships – understanding differences in friendships, characteristics of good friendships and how to identify ‘toxic’ friendships.. Sharing common interests and supporting others.
  • Self-advocacy Skills
  • Planning meet ups and handling disagreements
  • Understanding and applying the model of problem-solving
  • Perspective-taking
  • Understanding and promoting self-assertiveness and resilience

Across the units, we are aiming to teach social emotional skills, build resilience and promote preventative strategies to the development of common issues faced by children and teenagers (i.e., anxiety, depression, bullying and other challenges). The content and exercises are adapted based on the age group. The order of content delivery will be based on the progress of the group on each target.

Social Skills for Preschool Children

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This group is attended by children from age 3 to 5 years. These children are supported to learn the basics of friendship skills, including sharing, turn taking, participating in group activities, and early language skills such as communicating their likes and needs, amongst many others. At the core of the preschool program is the belief that children learn best when they are having fun, and so the team carefully plan and coordinate activities that are age appropriate, incorporating choice throughout to ensure that the group remains child-led, enhancing the children’s natural motivation to engage and learn.

Group Objectives:

  1. Sharing

    Toys, objects while playing, ideas and point of view.

  2. Social Interactions

    Taking turns, eye contact, body language, emotions.

  3. Communication

    Asking for help, asking questions, organizing your thoughts, understanding and making simple, clear and relevant sentences, comments.

  4. Theory of Mind

    Someone thinks differently than I do.

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Trial Session and Pre-Assessment. Prior to joining the group, your child is welcome to attend a trial session. Depending on the outcome of this initial session, the facilitators may request that your child undergoes a pre-assessment with a psychologist in order to determine whether the group can meet his or her needs.

  • Contact us to learn more about our Social Skills Program for Preschoolers by contact us: socialskills@allspecialkids.org

Maria

Lead Teacher

avatar

  • img
    Nicolas Dumolin, Muséum d’histoire naturelle (MHN)

    J’ai eu énormément de plaisir à recevoir Elias au Museum d’histoire naturelle de Genève, durant quelques semaine. Son enthousiasme et son intérêt à découvrir le métier de la surveillance et de la sécurité m’ont donné beaucoup de joie. Toute l’équipe de la sécurité garde un bon souvenir d’Elias. L’équipe d’encadrement ainsi que le coach étaient super et bien veillant, nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à partager cette expérience avec eux.

  • img
    Dr David Claivaz, IIL

    I am deeply impressed with the generous and sincere engagement of ASK in favor of kids with Special Education Needs, as well as the neurotypical ones.

    I wrote an IIL Blog Post called “The Essence of Learning”. Google the title to find out more.

  • img
    Parent

    It was very helpful to have so much positive feedback on the idea of James going into a special school as I was not sure that it was the best thing for him, but it looks like it is a very good option. It’s important to have a group where you can say almost anything and not feel judged or criticised to get the feedback, support and ideas from others and be able to off load a bit of the pressure !

  • img
    School administrator

    “When you walk around ASK Summer Camp for the first time, you recognize all the signs of a great camp: colors, music, laughs, excited kids and even more excited staff. A closer look at the very specific set of activities make you realize that you have reached a place in which learning is back to its roots, the freeing of the learner.”

  • img
    Karen Davies Brace

    I cannot say enough about ASK, Joy and all those involved with this amazing organization. We were in such desperation to find help for our children. One needed an assessment for dyslexia and the other for autism spectrum disorder. It was so difficult to get connected to professionals qualified to conduct these assessments (and in their Mother tongue). Joy was able to help us with both. We were connected to a psychologist who assessed our son for dyslexia. From there we were able to get Social, Play and Occupational therapy as well as therapy with a Psychomotricienne. For our dyslexic child, Joy introduced us to Oak Hill which completely changed him from being a non-reader to fluent reader and we saw his self-esteem increase tremendously within a mere three weeks at Oak Hill. In addition we discovered he is extremely strong in math which was hidden from us during all his struggles with reading. We cannot forget the wonderful homework club too. The boys enjoyed and benefited very much from them. The teachers and the program are amazing. Thx you Joy and all staff at ASK. We are forever grateful!

ASK Social Skills Group is an inclusive after-school program designed to help children who regularly have challenges with social interactions and how to read social cues

School Aged Children and Tweens

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This group is attended by children from 6-10 (School aged) years -10-12 years (Tweens). Participants in this program will learn important social skills such as how to make friends, how to socially interact with others, and how to understand theirs and others emotions. The sessions are delivered in a friendly and warm environment in an age-appropriate way. Through playful activities they can learn active listening, interpreting body language, asking questions, taking turns and other skills that will help them feel comfortable in social and unknown situations.

  1. Sustaining friendships

  2. Improving self-esteem

  3. Being more responsible and empathetic

  4. Being able to express difficult feelings

  5. Navigating social situations successfully

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Trial Session and Pre-Assessment.
Prior to joining the group, your child is welcome to attend a trial session. Depending on the outcome of this initial session, the facilitators may request that your child undergoes a pre-assessment with a psychologist in order to determine whether the group can meet his or her needs.

  • Geneva: SCHOOL AGED | 16h30 - 18h00 on Mondays. Start date: Jan 6th. Dates: Jan 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Feb 3rd, 10th, and 17th March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st April 7th, 14th TWEENS | 16h30 - 18h00 on Tuesdays. Start date: Jan 7th. Dates: Jan 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th Feb 4th, 11th and 18th Mar 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th April 1st, 8th and 15th

  • Where: ASK offices. If sessions take place in an alternative location you will be informed in advance via email.

  • What to bring: Water bottle, a snack and appropriate clothing.

  • Fees: Term 2: CHF 1,190 - Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • Registration Link for Term 2: Please see below

Maria

Lead Teacher

ddd

avatar

  • img
    Nicolas Dumolin, Muséum d’histoire naturelle (MHN)

    J’ai eu énormément de plaisir à recevoir Elias au Museum d’histoire naturelle de Genève, durant quelques semaine. Son enthousiasme et son intérêt à découvrir le métier de la surveillance et de la sécurité m’ont donné beaucoup de joie. Toute l’équipe de la sécurité garde un bon souvenir d’Elias. L’équipe d’encadrement ainsi que le coach étaient super et bien veillant, nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à partager cette expérience avec eux.

  • img
    Dr David Claivaz, IIL

    I am deeply impressed with the generous and sincere engagement of ASK in favor of kids with Special Education Needs, as well as the neurotypical ones.

    I wrote an IIL Blog Post called “The Essence of Learning”. Google the title to find out more.

  • img
    Parent

    It was very helpful to have so much positive feedback on the idea of James going into a special school as I was not sure that it was the best thing for him, but it looks like it is a very good option. It’s important to have a group where you can say almost anything and not feel judged or criticised to get the feedback, support and ideas from others and be able to off load a bit of the pressure !

  • img
    School administrator

    “When you walk around ASK Summer Camp for the first time, you recognize all the signs of a great camp: colors, music, laughs, excited kids and even more excited staff. A closer look at the very specific set of activities make you realize that you have reached a place in which learning is back to its roots, the freeing of the learner.”

  • img
    Karen Davies Brace

    I cannot say enough about ASK, Joy and all those involved with this amazing organization. We were in such desperation to find help for our children. One needed an assessment for dyslexia and the other for autism spectrum disorder. It was so difficult to get connected to professionals qualified to conduct these assessments (and in their Mother tongue). Joy was able to help us with both. We were connected to a psychologist who assessed our son for dyslexia. From there we were able to get Social, Play and Occupational therapy as well as therapy with a Psychomotricienne. For our dyslexic child, Joy introduced us to Oak Hill which completely changed him from being a non-reader to fluent reader and we saw his self-esteem increase tremendously within a mere three weeks at Oak Hill. In addition we discovered he is extremely strong in math which was hidden from us during all his struggles with reading. We cannot forget the wonderful homework club too. The boys enjoyed and benefited very much from them. The teachers and the program are amazing. Thx you Joy and all staff at ASK. We are forever grateful!

Connect Club for Teenagers

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The Connect Club for teenagers is a group that gives teenagers (12-16 years) the opportunity to meet others with similar interests and perspectives on life. The club aims to provide teenagers with time to explore psychoeducational topics such as anxiety in the school environment, learn strategies to improve organisational skills, develop friendships, and build effective ways to self-advocate. The club incorporates a combination of interactive workshops and community opportunities to develop skills (e.g., going bowling, mini golf, visiting museums). All outings will be agreed and planned by the group.

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  • Geneva: Wednesdays from 16h30 to 18h00. Start date: January 8th. Wednesdays: (Connect Club)- 14 Sessions Jan 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Feb 5th, 12th, and 19th March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th April 2nd, 9th and 16th

  • Where: ASK offices. If sessions take place in an alternative location you will be informed in advance via email.

  • Fees: Term 2: CHF 1,190 - Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • What to bring: Water bottle, a snack and appropriate clothing.

  • Registration link for Term 2 open: Please see below. Each term session will also include 2 outings as well to practice the skills we address during the workshops/sessions.

Maria

Lead Teacher

avatar

  • img
    Nicolas Dumolin, Muséum d’histoire naturelle (MHN)

    J’ai eu énormément de plaisir à recevoir Elias au Museum d’histoire naturelle de Genève, durant quelques semaine. Son enthousiasme et son intérêt à découvrir le métier de la surveillance et de la sécurité m’ont donné beaucoup de joie. Toute l’équipe de la sécurité garde un bon souvenir d’Elias. L’équipe d’encadrement ainsi que le coach étaient super et bien veillant, nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à partager cette expérience avec eux.

  • img
    Dr David Claivaz, IIL

    I am deeply impressed with the generous and sincere engagement of ASK in favor of kids with Special Education Needs, as well as the neurotypical ones.

    I wrote an IIL Blog Post called “The Essence of Learning”. Google the title to find out more.

  • img
    Parent

    It was very helpful to have so much positive feedback on the idea of James going into a special school as I was not sure that it was the best thing for him, but it looks like it is a very good option. It’s important to have a group where you can say almost anything and not feel judged or criticised to get the feedback, support and ideas from others and be able to off load a bit of the pressure !

  • img
    School administrator

    “When you walk around ASK Summer Camp for the first time, you recognize all the signs of a great camp: colors, music, laughs, excited kids and even more excited staff. A closer look at the very specific set of activities make you realize that you have reached a place in which learning is back to its roots, the freeing of the learner.”

  • img
    Karen Davies Brace

    I cannot say enough about ASK, Joy and all those involved with this amazing organization. We were in such desperation to find help for our children. One needed an assessment for dyslexia and the other for autism spectrum disorder. It was so difficult to get connected to professionals qualified to conduct these assessments (and in their Mother tongue). Joy was able to help us with both. We were connected to a psychologist who assessed our son for dyslexia. From there we were able to get Social, Play and Occupational therapy as well as therapy with a Psychomotricienne. For our dyslexic child, Joy introduced us to Oak Hill which completely changed him from being a non-reader to fluent reader and we saw his self-esteem increase tremendously within a mere three weeks at Oak Hill. In addition we discovered he is extremely strong in math which was hidden from us during all his struggles with reading. We cannot forget the wonderful homework club too. The boys enjoyed and benefited very much from them. The teachers and the program are amazing. Thx you Joy and all staff at ASK. We are forever grateful!

It is a compulsory pre-requisite to register online for your son/daughter to be able to take part in the social skills program. If this is your first time joining an ASK social skills program, you will need to register for a trial session first, and then register your son/daughter permanently after discussing with the group facilitators.

Adult PEERS Group

The ACCESS PEERS Club for Adults (17year +) is a group that gives adults an opportunity to build friendships, explore psychoeducational topics and discuss social scenarios that are pivotal to improving on quality of life. Through ACCESS, adults meet with others, cover a range of important emotional and social topics, have a safe and supportive environment to ask questions and share thoughts. The ACCESS group also incorporates a combination of interactive workshops and community opportunities to develop skills. All outings will be agreed and planned by the group.

Contact us at access@allspecialkids.org to learn about the Adult PEERS Group.