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Social Skills Program

Our social skills groups ares inclusive after-school programs designed to support children and teenagers who have challenges with social interactions and how to read social cues. It takes place in a fun and safe environment.

We follow evidence-based practices and curricula to create a program of individualized and group goals. Throughout the year, we work on topics that are age appropriate for the members of the group, such as; making and keeping friends, conversation skills, negotiation, humor, as well as emotional awareness and regulation.

We also offer individual social coaching sessions for children and teenagers to explore their personal social challenges and targets.

We find that participating individuals improve their self esteem, and feelings of self-advocacy to become more included within their social worlds. We look forward to working with you and your son/daughter!

 

Social Skills for Preschool Children

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The social skills program for preschool aged children is an evidence-based program to support the social development of children who experience difficulties in relating to other children. The program is individualised to each child, and follows an age-appropriate play-based model to support the development of their social skills in a friendly and fun environment. This social skills program aims to offer weekly structured activities in a fun group environment using play and sensory therapy. Visual supports for thematic activities are utilised to stimulate and inspire your child’s imagination and communication skills.

In addition to the group objectives, we will target individual aims during the program and address individual challenges step by step during each session. Each week, we will structure the session based around a particular theme to awakening their curiosity, learn social cues and vocabulary.

In order to maximize the group’s potential to meet your child’s individual needs, we encourage your contribution and welcome any comments or ideas.

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 free 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: Monday from 15h00 to 16h00

  • Where: ASK offices Ecumenical Center, 1218 Grand-Saconnex (GPS address: 1 rte des Morillons) 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.

  • Term Fee: CHF 495 - Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • Registration Link for Term 3 open: Please see below

Maria

Lead Teacher

avatar

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    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!

view more
Register

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

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The school-aged social skills program is an inclusive after school program designed specifically for children who experience difficulties in their social interactions with others. 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.Interacting with peers helps children build social, reciprocal and communicative skills. Through playful activities they can learn actively listening, interpreting body language, asking questions, taking turns and other skills that will help them feel comfortable in social and unknown situations.

The programme is open to any child who has difficulty with social skills, such as:

- Joining in and making friends

- Responding appropriately to verbal and non-verbal social cues

- Engaging in reciprocal conversational skills - Resolving conflict

- Coping with stressful situations

- Co-operating with othersp> - Managing interpersonal relationships

- Dealing with uncomfortable emotions

The group aims at building following skills:

  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 free 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: Monday from 16h30 to 18h00

  • Where: ASK offices Ecumenical Center, 1218 Grand-Saconnex (GPS address: 1 rte des Morillons). 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.

  • Term Fee: CHF 660 - Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • Registration Link for Term 3 open: 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!

view more
Register

Connect Club for Teenagers

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We are opening a group for teenagers which will explore a range of topics relevant to this age group but also to address skills in the areas of social skills/relationships, psycho-educational topics (anxiety) and self-management skills (organising and planning). As well as addressing these topics, we hope to help teenagers to connect with one another and explore issues they are facing at school. The group will be a maximum of 6-7 young people. We are planning on having the session on Wednesday afternoons or friday afternoons, depending on the schedules of the young people.

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  • Geneva: Wednesdays or Friday afternoons

  • Where: ASK offices Ecumenical Center, 1218 Grand-Saconnex (GPS address: 1 rte des Morillons). 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.

  • Registration for Term 3 open: Term 3 will start May 3rd, 2023. The 6 week session will also include 2 outings as well to practice the skills we address during the workshops/sessions. Contact us at info@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!

view more

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.

Our Team

Dr. Lorna Barry

C.PSYCHOL., PS.S.I., BCBA, M.PS.S.I
ASK BEHAVIOURAL PSYCHOLOGIST & ACCESS PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

Dr. Lorna Barry is a Chartered Psychologist working across ASK programs and is the ACCESS Program Supervisor. She is a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, and obtained her MSc. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She has extensive experience working with children and young adults, helping them to build social and independent skills within their homes and communities. Lorna is passionate about improving the lives of people with differential learning abilities.

Laura Alfageme

Speech and language Therapist

Laura holds a B.Sc in Communication Sciences from City University London, United Kingdom. She is a qualified speech and language therapist with previous experience in the UK, Cambodia and Switzerland.

Laura currently works as a speech and language therapist in various international schools in Geneva since September of 2013. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults with a wide range of special needs.

Laura joined ASK in 2014. She is currently co-facilitator of the ASK after school programs (Social skills and Friendship group) and she works with the ACCESS program. During school holidays, Laura has been working at ASK day camps as a group facilitator for different ages.

Maria Antoniou

Clinical Psychologist

Maria is a clinical psychologist and a CBT trainee. She obtained her MSc in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of Geneva and has gained research and clinical experience working across a range of care settings and age groups. Maria is a facilitator in the ASK program.

Upcoming Programs

May 2023
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