The Social Skills groups are one of the cornerstone programs on offer at ASK. These groups provide a crucial outlet for children who have difficulties with social skills, allowing children to develop friendships and connections with others in their community, in a fun and supportive environment.

The groups are divided according to age, and support children of all abilities. This is described further below:

Social Skills for Preschool Children

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The preschool 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.

  • Geneva: Tuesdays 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.

  • Fees: Term 1: CHF 770; Term 2: CHF 605; Term 3: CHF 550. Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • Registration Link for Terms 1, 2 and 3 are open: Please see below

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
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 and Tweens

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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 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: Mondays 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.

  • Fees: Term 1: CHF 1,026; Term 2: CHF 807; Term 3: CHF 773 - Registering for Parent Membership will provide a 10% Discount on Term Fee as well as other ASK Programs.

  • Registration Link for Terms 1, 2 and 3: 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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ASK is delighted to announce a new club for teenagers, who would like to meet others with similar interests and perspectives on school 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 will be facilitated by our ASK team and will include a combination 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: Thursdays 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.

  • Fees: Term 1: CHF 876; Term 2: CHF 807; Term 3: CHF 773 - 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 1, 2 and 3 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!

view more
Register

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.

Danai Orlandatou

BSc psychology, MSc clinical

My name is Danai and I am a facilitator at ACCESS program. I am a clinical psychologist with a master’s degree in clinical and developmental psychology (university of Geneva) and a CBT trainee. I am also trained in Acceptance Commitment (ACT) and Compassion Therapy (CFT). I am looking forward to working with the ACCESS team and the interns, supporting them in the achievement of their goals and in building their inner compassion self. 

Upcoming Programs

January 2024

Connect Club for Adolescents

ASK is delighted to announce a new club for teenagers, ...
11 Jan - 20 Jun
ASK Geneva
Ecumenical Center, 1218 Grand-Saconnex (GPS address: 1 rte des Morillons)
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