By allowing the therapist to work with more than one family at a time, Skill Groups provide a less costly alternative for families while keeping the focus on family-centered strategies to enhance communication...

What is a Skill Group?

A skill group is a group of children and caregivers that meets once/week for a given number of weeks to work on specific communication goal strategies for carryover in daily activities in the natural environment.

How do I form one?

• A skill group may be formed with a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 children
• Communication goals should be similar*
• It is the responsibility of the parents in the group to determine the location of sessions (it may change from week to week).
• Once there is interest in the group, contact us, and schedule the time and day for the Skill Group. 

*Communication goals should be similar...this does not mean that all children must be working on the same speech sound, or that a child with social skills goals could not be in a group with children with AAC/expressive language goals. 

How is a Skill Group run?

• Upon a group's registration, the therapist will look at each child's individual needs and goals and will develop group lessons for parents/children to do together during the session.  The therapist will lead the session with parents and children actively participating and practicing strategies.
• Sessions will last one hour weekly for a minimum of three weeks, and lessons will be adapted to meet the changing needs of the children and families.
• At least one caregiver is required to attend and participate with each child during every session as the goal is to carryover strategies in daily life.
• Strategies and techniques will be taught in a hands-on, experiential and sensory integrated format.

If you are interested in a group, and your child receives therapy through the public schools or First Steps system, Skill Groups may be an option for a little additional help outside of school and will help you focus more on ways to incorporate goals easily at home!  You may want to speak with your school therapist in setting up a group.  He/she will be able to identify other children with similar goals, can discuss the idea of a group with those families, and ask them to contact you directly if interested.    

For what ages are the Skill Groups? 

Groups may be formed with children ages 0-12.  It is best to form groups with children within three years of one another in age.

What is the cost? 

$90/session (not per child) by a speech therapist

$75/session (not per child) by a developmental therapist

Therapist will depend on Skill Group.  A minimum of three sessions is required for a Skill Group. 

Fee includes most costs for materials for the sessions unless the Group requires special adaptations.  

Mileage will be charged at the rate of 40 cents/mile for locations greater than 30 miles from Greenfield, IN.  Each mile over 30 will be charged 40 cents.   

Contact Family Times for more information.

Ideas for Skill Groups might be...

Everyday communication skills for children using Augmentative/Alternative Communication devices

Articulation Activity Groups for children with various speech sound goals.

 

Social Language Groups for children with social language delays including children on the autism spectrum

 

Language Enrichment for late-talking children (2-4 years old) who are not yet speaking or have expressive language needs.

 

Many of our workshops can be turned into Skill Groups for children as well including  Communication for Kinesthetic Kids or others...

 

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